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September 11, 2007

Bill would toughen penalty for damaging monuments

Two legislators are trying to toughen the penalties for vandalism to public statues and monuments after a war memorial in Smithfield was damaged.

Sen. John Tassoni, Jr., D-North Smithfield and Rep. Raymond Gallison Jr., D-Bristol, Portsmouth, are proposing a bill that would raise the fine from $500 and/or one year in prison to $5,000, full restitution and community service.

Tassoni, along with Rep. Thomas Winfield, D-Smithfield Glocester, and Rep. Peter John Petrarca, D-Johnston, Smithfield, Lincoln, offered a $500 reward for information that led to the arrest and conviction of in connection with the vandalism of a Deerfield Park monument dedicated to town residents who had served in wars.

“I hope the reward offer leads to an arrest,” Tassoni said in a press release, “but we need to let these vandals and their kind know that we are serious about prosecuting and punishing this kind of activity.”

The legislators are drafting the bill now. They hope to pre-file it in the fall so it will be considered by the General Assembly in January.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 9:36 AM | Permalink

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