Bill would toughen school crime laws

Sarah Carr:

Violent crimes committed on school grounds would be subjected to stiffer penalties under a bill circulated in the Legislature on Wednesday.

The bill was one of two drafted by a West Allis lawmaker aiming to curb school violence committed by outsiders who cause or aid disruptions in schools.

The other bill calls for jail time or fines for those who trespass on school grounds with the purpose of causing a disturbance.

"Outsiders and non-students can turn a pushing match into a gang brawl," said Rep. Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis), who drafted the bills.

He began drafting the bills after outsiders were called to participate in a fight at Bradley Tech High School this winter. He said a Journal Sentinel investigation on school violence provided perfect timing for him to circulate the bills for co-sponsorship on Wednesday. Among other things, the investigation found that at least 127 school staff members were physically assaulted in the schools in the first half of the school year. It also found that the district's 11 largest high schools called police about twice a day on average over the last six months.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at May 10, 2007 12:25 AM
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