Missouri could soon tighten the rules on telecom crimes.
State Sen. Mike Henderson, R‑Desloge, who represents the state’s 3rd District in east‑central Missouri, told Missourinet that some serious crimes have been taking place.
“We’ve had more thefts, copper, brass, aluminum, they cut the fiber lines thinking they’re going to get copper sometimes,” said Henderson. “And when you disrupt cell service, most people don’t have a home phone anymore. So, if they’re going to call for emergency services, especially some of our elderly, they’re going to use their wireless communications.”
Henderson said something needs to be done to protect communities.
“Under $750, it’s a Class A misdemeanor,” said Henderson. “If it’s $750 to $25,000 in damage, it’s a Class E felony. And more than $25,000, it’s a Class D felony. We’re just trying to say, the current law isn’t keeping you from doing these things.”
Henderson told Missourinet that the bill has bipartisan support.
“It was not too far over the top,” said Henderson. “We’re just trying to get ahead of it before we have some major problem, such as a disruption of 911 services and we have a catastrophe. And let’s try to take it on now before we get to that point, not overreact afterwards.”
Henderson said the harshest penalties are reserved for cases that cause the costliest disruptions.
Below is a link to the bill.
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