Legislators push for tougher penalties for airport incursions

Assemblywoman Grace Spencer says state law for that kind of security violation needs to be more than the current disorderly person offense.

Two New Jersey lawmakers are proposing legislation to increase the penalties for violating security rules at airports.
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The proposal is being made in response to the six hour shutdown of a terminal at Newark Airport that occurred when a man entered a restricted area on January Third.

Assemblywoman Grace Spencer says state law for that kind of security violation needs to be more than the current disorderly person offense.

Spencer: Spitting on a sidewalk and disregarding security procedures is very different, very different indeed, and to have the same punishment, no, no, it’s not right and it needs to be changed.

Spencer and Assemblyman Albert Coutinho want to make it a fourth degree crime for breaching airport security. That would carry with it up to 18 months in prison and a ten thousand dollar fine. The current maximum penalty is 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.