Anti-Bullying Ordinance Gains Traction With Carson City Council
CARSON (CBSLA.com) — The Carson City Council met Tuesday to discuss a law that would ticket the parents of students who bully other children.
CBS2's Serene Branson reports council members aim to make history by approving the anti-bullying ordinance, which would ticket offenders targeting victims between the ages of 5 and 25 for making them feel "terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed or molested" with no legitimate purpose.
A first-time bullying offense could result in a $100 ticket under the law; a second offense $200; and a third could bring a criminal misdemeanor charge.
Critics have called the ordinance too broad and say it interferes too much with their personal lives.
But Carson City Councilman Mike Gipson said the idea is to create a zero-tolerance zone in which parents are held responsible for their children's behavior.
"It's not criminalizing a kid that we want to put an onus on the parents. Go back to the basics. Let's do parenting. And let's take responsibility for our children," Gipson aid.
It's unclear how authorities would enforce the ordinance, although law enforcement personnel would receive specialized training if it is passed.
The City Council hopes to implement the law next month.
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