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Watching The Cops Title: Here's What Happens To Those Threatening NJ Cops With Coronavirus Strong punishment is coming for eight people in eight NJ towns who allegedly threatened to give police officers the coronavirus, police say. NEW JERSEY – If you threaten a New Jersey police officer with the coronavirus, you're going to suffer for it, authorities say. Eight people in eight New Jersey towns may soon find out how tough that punishment will get (see list below). Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal says his office has taken over prosecution of at least six cases and is filing upgraded charges against defendants who allegedly threatened police officers by spitting or coughing at them and claiming to have COVID-19. Patch also reported additional cases that were not on the state's list. Grewal said his office is taking steps as a way of "letting our dedicated officers know that we have their backs as they work tirelessly to maintain public safety and health at this difficult time." "We take all assaults on police officers seriously, but it is especially heinous for someone to spit or cough at an officer in an attempt to infect or threaten to infect them with COVID-19," Grewal added. Indeed, officials reported that 288 members of New Jersey law enforcement have tested positive for the new coronavirus. Col. Patrick Callahan, acting superintendent of the State Police, said on Monday that 2,477 have self- quarantined. Read more: 288 In NJ Law Enforcement Positive For Coronavirus "Hundreds of officers across New Jersey are already infected with the virus, which, in many cases, they likely contracted by protecting and serving the public while on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19," Grewal said. "We have zero tolerance for anyone who uses the coronavirus as a weapon or instrument of terror against officers bravely performing their duties during this health crisis." Callahan noted that troopers and officers throughout the state do not have the ability to work from home or practice social distancing while doing their job. "Law enforcement comes with many risks, none of which do the men and women who wear a badge shy away from," said Callahan "For a defendant to intentionally expose an officer to COVID-19 is not just an assault on that officer, it's an assault on their family members, fellow officers, and the general public. Anyone who uses the virus as a weapon against an officer will face a swift law enforcement response." On several cases, Veronica Allende, director of the Division of Criminal Justice, said her office has upgraded potential punishments by adding second- degree charges of making terroristic threats during a state of emergency. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Several similar cases that were not on the attorney general's list: A Carteret man who State Police say was driving under the influence — and caused a crash on the Parkway — was also charged with falsely telling state troopers he had the coronavirus to try and avoid being taken into custody, said police. Read more: Man In Hazlet Parkway Crash Lied, Said He Had Coronavirus: PD The following cases, which initially were charged by local police and county prosecutors, have been superseded for prosecution by the Division of Criminal Justice: Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread |
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