Latest news with #DanHutchison
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
New law in New Jersey cracks down on intentionally setting public brawls
A new law has taken effect in New Jersey, aimed at cracking down on public brawls. Under the Garden State's newly enacted public brawl law, intentionally starting a public brawl would be a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The law also upgrades penalties for disorderly conduct in certain circumstances. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. "Under this bill, a person is guilty of inciting a public brawl if the person acts with purpose to organize or promote a group of four or more other persons to engage in a course of disorderly conduct through improper behavior or by causing a disturbance at a public gathering," a description of the bill published in March 2025 read in part. The law also considers any person who attempts to hide their own identity or that of another person while engaging in disorderly conduct to be guilty of a disorderly persons offense. South Jersey Assemblymember Dan Hutchison, who represents District 4 and oversees Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester counties, sponsored the bill. "I think that this law now sends a message to the people who instigate these public brawls on social media that if they take this type of action, they do these things, that they're going to go to prison for 18 months. And if you participate in one of these public brawls, then you're looking at jail time up to a year," Hutchison said. Hutchison told CBS News Philadelphia the legislation came after unruly crowds took over the community celebration, Gloucester Township Day, in June 2024. Gloucester Township Day was canceled again this year after law enforcement officers discovered threats of violent activity were being shared on social media. "When it happened in my backyard, when I saw members of my police department being treated and being injured by these people, that was the straw that broke my camel's back, so to speak, and I was gonna do something," Hutchison said. The law goes into effect immediately.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New NJ law combats rowdy pop-up parties and strengthens penalties
The Brief A New Jersey law has strengthened penalties for those who organize, provoke or incite a brawl. The law comes after incidents of rowdy teens and young adults at carnivals and boardwalks. GLOUCESTER TWP., N.J. - New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a new law to combat rowdy pop-up parties, and it goes into effect immediately. What we know The new law signed by Governor Phil Murphy on Monday strengthens criminal charges against those who incite brawls at pop-up parties. The law came in response to a number of out-of-hand, unruly gatherings from community carnivals to the Jersey Shore boardwalks last year. Many of the incidents were coordinated on social media. "This is a game-changer. Because now if you are going to utilize social media to organize and promote such a disruptive event you are now going to do 18 months in prison" said New Jersey Assemblyman Dan Hutchison of Gloucester Township, who is a sponsor of the bill. Last summer, several incidents made headlines, including civil unrest in Wildwood, a stabbing in Ocean City and hundreds of teens and young adults causing chaos at Gloucester Day. Fears for safety forced organizers to cancel the event this year that was scheduled for this upcoming weekend. "It was horrific. They were the most disrespectful behavior. Fighting amongst themselves. Trying to surround officers," said Gloucester Township Chief Harkins back in March. "It was a night like no other that I've experienced in almost my 30 years as a police officer." Dig deeper The governor signed the bill about a month after conditionally vetoing the legislation instituting fourth-degree penalties for inciting a public brawl. It will also allow police to arrest those who conceal their identities to instill fear. The original bill was sent back to lawmakers to include specific protections for the rights of protesters. Violators could face fines and potential jail time. Lawmakers say it comes just in time for summer. "I want to see the day where we don't have to make those decisions anymore. We feels safe and nothing is going to disrupt the family even and you can bring kids out and not have them see what an embarrassment thing happened in Gloucester Township a year and a half ago" said Assemblyman Hutchison. What's next The new law goes into effect immediately. The Source The information in this story is from Governor Murphy's Office and the New Jersey Assemblyman Dan Hutchison of Gloucester Township.
Glasgow Times
11-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow city council reveals plan to ease misery of hayfever sufferers
Now, it is being suggested the council could take steps that could help ease the suffering of hayfever martyrs. By planting certain species of trees and plants, a councillor has said a low pollen strategy could reduce the effects of hayfever. READ NEXT: Calls to ban Irish rappers Kneecap from Glasgow's TRNSMT festival should be resisted Dan Hutchison, Greens councillor for Govan said such a plan could be integrated into the councils biodiversity strategy. He said hayfever affects one in four people at some point and is on the rise across Europe. (Image: PA) The councillor said the severity of symptoms in people is directly influenced by the concentration of airborne pollen. In a motion to be debated at the council, he said: 'Changes to plants used in urban landscaping, such as the introduction of Birch trees, has contributed to a rise in allergen sensitivity.' The plan includes: 'Low pollen planting' which he said 'deprioritises the planting of wind-pollinated plants such as grasses, and promotes multispecies plant communities, so is beneficial for wildlife and small pollinators such as bees and other insects.' He added: 'Consideration should also be given to avoiding 'botanical sexism' where pollen-intensive 'male' plants, historically favoured by planners as they do not shed seeds or fruit and thus require less street cleansing, are not the only plants installed, and that 'female' fruit-producing plants are planted alongside." 'Female' trees will help to trap the excess pollen produced by 'male' trees, as well as other airborne pollution.' READ NEXT:Teachers to ballot on strike action over workload dispute On Sunday, the pollen count was high in Glasgow and is expected to be medium and high this week. One remedy for some people is said to be eating locally produced honey and Hutchison wants the council to support local honey producers in the city food plan There are beehives on the roof of the City Chambers and Kelvingrove Art Galleries and Museum and he suggests that other council owned buildings and land could be used to support honey production.
Glasgow Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Concerns raised over G4S contract with Glasgow City Council
Councillor Dan Hutchison said he was surprised the company was in line for the award considering its history of complaints over detention centres in England and controversy over previous operations in Israel. On Thursday, G4S Cash Solutions won the contract to continue collecting cash for the council from sports centres, parking machines and other venues for three years. But Councillor Hutchison asked: 'How have we managed to get them to pass our ethical policy?' The Scottish Greens local politician told a meeting that 'there is a whole host of things they have done in the UK and other countries that makes me genuinely surprised that we would be comfortable with signing a contract with them.' READ MORE: Hoardings go up around George Square as revamp gets underway In response, a council official, said the contractor was 'obviously successful in terms of being appointed to Scotlands' Excel framework.' The officer said she would go back and look at G4S's responses to checks. She added: 'The procurement process and regulations don't allow decisions for contractors to be discontinued if it is not related to professional conduct.' Questioning that, councillor Hutchison said: 'Here in the UK they had over 700 complaints raised about racism, discrimination and assault in the detention centres they ran under the Conservative government (in 2010). That is a professional standards issue that would be raised. I think it would be good to look at that before this is agreed. ' The official replied: 'What I have to look at right now is continuity of service provision. They are our incumbent provider just now – we are receiving a service from them just now. That is something that is required on an ongoing basis.' READ MORE: Exciting new restaurant to open in Glasgow Airport to feed hungry travellers She added: 'I would seek committee approval to still continue with the award. 'What we could do is terminate the contract if there is a reasonable concern or if it falls within the procurement regulations to terminate the contract.' The contracts and property committee approved the contract but the official will come back with the additional information regarding G4S at the next meeting. The committee heard the firm uses electric vehicles and one full and part time job would go to people facing barriers to employment from a priority group. Another full-time role would also be created. G4S sold its security operations subsidiary to Israeli equity fund FIMI in 2016. The council previously agreed in a motion that the local authority should be carrying out due diligence to check supplier actions don't conflict with international humanitarian law.
STV News
01-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Plans for £2.5m water feature in George Square abandoned due to budget gap
A £20 million deal to transform George Square and turn surrounding streets into avenues has been signed off as a £2.5 million water feature is dumped due to budget constraints. New designs show West George Street and Cochrane Street adjoining the square re-invented as avenues with far more pavement space and new trees and plants. A meeting heard there was no spare cash to pay for a planned water feature in George Square and that it would pose a risk to the contract but one councillor said it would not ease people's 'disappointment.' Asking how much a water feature would cost, Scottish Greens councillor Dan Hutcheson said: 'There has been press attention about the exclusion of the water feature in recent days. I understand there is a tight budget for this. I can see there is a £1.5 million gap in the budget.' An official said: 'We estimated a water feature would cost around £2.5 million in capital expenditure notwithstanding the ongoing recurring revenue costs. 'Because we knew it was a significant cost we excluded it.' He pointed out 'clearly there isn't a spare £2.5 million.' Speaking at the contracts and property committee, he added: 'The introduction of a water feature presented a significant level of risk to the contract because of the underground nature and all the stuff you need to do.' He said the main reason for abandoning the plan was due to the 'financial deficit in the budget' but there was also a significant risk. Scottish Greens councillor Dan Hutchison said: 'I understand there is sound logic but I don't think it will help the disappointment that people will feel but yeah there is only so much you can do. Thankfully in Glasgow it rains half the time so you get a water feature from the sky anyway.' Councillors awarded the £20.499 million contract to Rainton Construction with work to begin in June. The square is expected to be finished by August 2026. Hoardings are currently up as preparations are underway and the 11 statues are to be removed for restoration later this month. As well as covering the George Square works, the contract will also see the creation of avenues at North Hanover Street, George Street, West George Street, Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place. Plans for the square include informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas, a raised lawn platform, new feature lighting and seating to add to the remembrance benches and high-quality stone throughout according to the council. New trees will also be planted. The western part of the square will have a more informal design for people to use with space for cafés to spill out on to, and a paved area for events. The Avenues programme is funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with funding provided by the Scottish and UK Governments, and Glasgow City Council. Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: 'This is a huge milestone in the transformation of George Square. The appointment of Rainton means the main construction works are now just weeks away, adding real momentum and a sense of excitement to this historic project. 'Glaswegians will already have seen the construction site starting to take shape but the appointment of this contractor is the last major piece of the jigsaw. 'Over the 16 or so months from June, we will see a new and significantly improved public space take shape – a new square on a par with many of our international peers, one Glaswegians can be proud of, and which is fitting of a city of our standing.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
