Posted on 03/14/2002 7:35:18 AM PST by real saxophonist
'Flasher-free' school zones proposed
Idea patterned after drug-free areas in which penalties are increased
By Trent Seibert
Denver Post Capitol Bureau
Thursday, March 14, 2002 - Perverts who are caught exposing themselves to kids near school yards may soon face tougher penalties.
House Minority Leader Dan Grossman, D-Denver, said Wednesday that he wants to create "flasher-free" school zones, similar to the drug-free school zones that mean longer jail sentences for drug dealers that get nabbed on or near school grounds.
The Denver area has seen a flurry of flashing activity around elementary schools, and Grossman said he hopes stronger punishments will stop future flashers.
"We've got a real problem with one person, or possibly more, involved with this abhorrent activity," he said.
Police are still looking for a man who exposed himself to two fifth-graders on Denver's Whittier Elementary School playground, and most recently, Aurora police arrested a 21-year-old man after he allegedly exposed himself to two fifth-grade boys.
The Post has reported as many as 20 flashing incidents across the metro area so far this year.
Grossman's plan would be to raise penalties for those who show their genitals to kids so that they face 18 months behind bars with up to a $5,000 fine. As it stands now, flashers face a potential year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.
If flashers are convicted a second time, they'll head to state prison on a felony charge, facing up to three years, under Grossman's proposal.
School officials like the idea.
Assistant principal Sal DiMarco of Denver's Brown Elementary School, where a flasher struck in November, said he would embrace tougher penalties.
"I think anything we can do to prevent this kind of activity is well worth pursuing," DiMarco said.
Grossman's plan has a good chance at passing. Republican leaders also like the idea, a must in the GOP-controlled House.
"It sounds like a pretty good idea," said House Speaker Doug Dean, R-Colorado Springs. Dean noted, though, that because of the state's tight budget, Grossman will have to find a way to pay for it.
It's unclear how much upgrading the law would cost.
Grossman said he will propose his plan as an amendment to House Bill 1237, an omnibus crime bill recently introduced in the House that would strengthen a series of criminal laws. The bill has not yet been scheduled for debate.
Grossman also said he may consider toughening the penalties across the board for flashing, not just in school zones.
"There are some people who have some pretty serious predatory tendencies that can cause real harm to kids," he said. "We really need to beef up these penalties."
Ben Richards voted against legislation that would keep kids in school safe from flashers.
Well, if you are smart you attach an amendment to the bill that forces it back into committee -- something like politically-correct language that makes it gender-neutral, written in such a way as to make the law totally ambiguous. Then you get the committee to deal with other, more pressing business, first. Pretty soon it is the end of the legislative session, and -- ya know -- we never did get around to votin' on that politically-correct, gender-neutral anti-flashing bill, did we?
What the hell are they putting in the water over there?
Hey! That's my line!
Why should someone face tougher penalties just because of their exhibitionary orientation? Are the people in Denver all flashophobes? </sarcasm>
Actually I am wondering what this guy showed the kids that they already hadn't seen on TV. I'm thinking that he faces the greater risk if the kids laugh at his "physique" than the kids face at seeing it.
But I say, let the Denver people create tougher penalties if they can think of 'em. Personally, I'm not sure what is tougher than shooting them. What? They don't already do that now?
What do they teach them in these schools?
Shalom.
LOL! That was my first thought as well. I pictured a sillouette of man with a fedora and an open overcoat in a red circle with a slash through it.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall at the Denver City Councel meeting as they try to come up with prototypes.
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