Carson bully bill fails

Bullies in Carson, Calif., will not face fines and potential misdemeanor charges — yet.

Contrary to early expectations, the Carson City Council Tuesday rejected 3-2 an ordinance that would have made the city the first to criminalize the act of bullying.

Councilman Mike Gipson, who introduced the ordinance, vowed to bring it back for a vote.

The council said it would talk to experts and residents before trying again.

Residents spoke both in favor and against the ordinance that would have have fined bullies $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and up to $500 and misdemeanor charges the third time. Children as young as 5, and adults as old as 25, could have faced the charges.

Gipson has said that bullying can lead to violence and suicide. He cited a 2011 Centers for Disease Control study that found that 20 percent of high school students reported being bullied at school the prior year. The CDC said that harassment could result in murders, suicides, physical injury, social and emotional distress, depression, anxiety, problems at school and with sleeping.

Under Carson’s proposed ordinance, bullying would have included verbal, physical and written harassment, including cyber-bullying.

“It’s a good thing it was defeated — the city council is obviously trying to do the right thing, but this is not going to get them where they want to go,” said Professor Judith Vessey, an expert on the topic of bullying with the Connell School of Nursing at Boston College. “For a community to take an active stand is a good thing, but the evidence shows this is just not the right stand to take. The energy could be much better used in establishing a climate — not only in schools but in the community — where that doesn't become acceptable.”