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Senator Moore Calls for Stronger Penalties for Tampering with Public Water Supplies Blackstone incident demonstrates need |
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March 29, 2006 - Reports of trespassing and tampering with the town of Blackstone’s water supply prompted the town’s state senator to seek immediate action to provide tough new penalties for any who commit such acts of vandalism in the future. “Unfortunately, we no longer live in an era when people found it quaint for Huck Finn to sneak into the local swimming hole,” explained Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge). “These acts of vandalism were more than harmless pranks, they inconvenienced the people of Blackstone and North Smithfield, lost valuable education time for students, and closed businesses,” he added. Advised of pending legislation to increase penalties for such crimes, sponsored by Sen. Stephen Brewer (D-Barre) and Rep. James Leary (D-Worcester), Senator Moore urged the Senate leadership to move the bill forward. At Moore’s request, the Senate Ways and Means Committee voted to favorably report a bill that will provide significant new penalties for trespassing or tampering with public water supplies or equipment. The Senate leadership has promised Senator Moore that the full Senate will take action on the measure next Tuesday. The legislation addresses the act of trespassing on posted water supply lands and facilities increasing the penalties for basic trespassing on private property. It also provides more severe penalties for repeat offenders and for tampering with water supplies and equipment. In addition, the bill authorizes the courts to order restitution to a water supplier or community to pay for water quality testing, investigation of trespassing and tampering incidents, and damage to equipment. The bill has the support of the Massachusetts Water Works Association, an organization of private and public water supply officials headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts, who initially asked for the bill to be filed to address concerns about terrorism, however, other acts of vandalism would also be addressed. “I wish that it was possible to impose these new penalties in this most recent Blackstone incident because of the inconvenience and fear that was caused,” Senator Moore explained, “however, we cannot increase penalties after the fact. Nevertheless, more serious penalties might make others think twice before committing such a crime.” |
