PLOVER, Wis. (WTAQ) — Shawano recently passed an anti-bullying ordinance modeled after one in Plover…and both sides of the issue are talking about the effect on that community.
Talk show host Jerry Bader took up the topic Tuesday, and spoke with a man named Kyle who lives in Plover, who said, “I talked to the Plover Chief about it. I told him right straight up how ridiculous it is.” Afterward, Plover Police Chief Dan Ault explains the importance of raising awareness to this serious issue while defining what parameters the ordinance has. Ault says, “It’s a form of harassment, and is defined as an intentional course of conduct which is reasonably likely to intimidate, emotionally abuse, slander, or threaten another person, which serves no legitimate purpose.” Ault says it’s more of an educational tool for parents to get involved in their child’s life.
Ault tells Jerry Bader that this issue is serious enough that they wanted to raise awareness…along with explaining the differences between bullying now and years ago. “Let’s smear Sally’s name all across the entire school district with a horrible picture that we’ve computer generated and posted on there, that’s not even real, so that’s what’s different between us and today’s youth.”
Not everyone is sold on the ordinance’s effectiveness. “Kyle” called in to say he told the chief how he feels. “I showed him my fist and said, ‘This is what takes care of a bully. Punch that little brat right in the face. Give him a black eye.’”
Ault says it’s more about awareness than issuing tickets. If parents are notified their child is involved in a bullying incident they have 90 days to stake steps to address the issue. If the bullying continues parents will be fined $366.
by Jeff Flynt, WTAQ
