Connecticut Senator Seeks To Make Phoned-In Threats To Schools A Felony

HARTFORD, CONN. (CBSNewYork) -- A Connecticut lawmaker is looking to increase the penalty for people who make threats against schools.

As WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported, while security at schools around Connecticut has been dramatically upgraded, there are those who still delight in phoning in threats.

Now, state Sen. Tony Hwang wants to put an end to the trauma suffered by parents, teachers and children when threats against schools are made.

"The devastating impact to the psyches of parents, educators and children in a school environment is absolutely, positively unacceptable," Hwang said.

The lawmaker noted phoned-in threats are currently punishable as a misdemeanor. He's working to upgrade that to a felony, and said there's a lot of support for the effort.

No longer, Hwang said, should those who call in threats to schools be punished with a slap on the hand, Schneidau reported.