Anti-bullying ordinance drafted in Monessen

Monessen’s mayor believes the city should adopt an anti-bullying ordinance, hoping it will ensure that those of any age will be held accountable.
“In working with youth in the city, and also seeing the actions of some adults, I felt that it was necessary to look into enacting an ordinance such as this,” said Mayor Matthew Shorraw. He presented the ordinance last month during a city council work session.
The drafted ordinance defines bullying as a systematic and chronic form of harassment that inflicts physical hurt or psychological distress through unwanted and repeated written, verbal or physical behavior.
The types of bullying include teasing, social exclusion, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, theft, public or private humiliation, destruction of property, cyber bullying and sexual, religious or racial harassment.
Shorraw said society has failed to realize bullying can be the root to other acts.
“Bullying can be a gateway to more serious forms of harassment,” he said. “This seems like a common sense way to nip it in the bud.”
A violation of the ordinance would be considered a summary offense that would come with a maximum fine of $250 and court costs, and up to 40 hours of community service.
It will be up to law enforcement to issue a warning for the first incident.
Shorraw said other municipalities are enacting similar legislation, and in most cases, legislation is more effective on the local level.
“I don’t want to over-regulate the behavior of citizens, but I feel that everyone needs to be held accountable for their actions, no matter their age,” Shorraw said.
The proposed ordinance also holds parents accountable.
According to the ordinance, it would be unlawful for a parent or guardian to allow or permit bullying.
The parents will be informed in writing about a minor’s first offense and if a second offense occurs 90 days after that, it can be assumed that the parent or guardian allowed or permitted the violation, according to the ordinance.
Shorraw said he’s still exploring details on how the ordinance will work with the school district.
“If it is at all possible, I would like the district’s security officers to handle the situation,” Shorraw said. “If it is an incident that happens outside of the school district, or with adults, it would be investigated by the city police, just like any other scenario.”
Shorraw added that feedback has been quite positive for the most part. If the problem isn’t addressed while students are young, he said, the problem will be greater and cause a greater expense within the community as everyone should be treating each other with respect.
“I hope to work with council to get the ordinance introduced in the near future,” Shorraw said. “If citizens feel that this is important, they also have the ability to petition that this ordinance be introduced.”