TRENTON – While the FBI investigates a rash of cable-cutting vandalism in the San Francisco Bay area, Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi called for more severe penalties on vandals who disrupt the Internet’s privately run infrastructure.
“Sabotaging the information superhighway, even for a few hours, can cause serious problems like cutting off first responders, disrupting business and inconveniencing the public,” said Fiocchi, R-Cumberland, Cape May and Atlantic. “While the California incidents only hurt customers in several cities for a few hours, it is possible to knock-out service to a much larger area for a much longer period. We will be vulnerable if we don’t do more to protect the Internet from physical attacks on its infrastructure.”
Under legislation sponsored by Fiocchi (A-3141), tampering with public communications would be considered criminal mischief and offenders could be charged with a second degree crime, punishable with a five to 10 year prison sentence and up to a $150,000 fine. If a substantial interruption causes death, the crime can be upgraded to a first degree offense, punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison and a $200,000 fine.
Since July 6, 2014, fiber-optic cable lines have been intentionally severed at least 11 times in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to the FBI. Two AT&T cables were deliberately cut in Livermore last Monday. AT&T is offering a $250,000 reward in connection with the latest attacks.
According to the FCC, New Jersey is the third largest state with fiber access serving 5.5 million people.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
