Conroy to Announce Paddling Bill Plans

Assemblyman Mickey Conroy (R-Orange) plans to announce this morning in Sacramento whether he will introduce a bill to require paddling of juvenile graffiti vandals.

Taking a cue from the celebrated Singapore case in which an American youth was caned for spraying paint on cars, Conroy suggested earlier this month that corporal punishment would be a potential cure for the plague of tagging.

Legislative colleagues and legal experts scoffed at the idea, but Conroy’s staff continued to draft the legislation.

Aide Chris Manson would not say Monday whether Conroy will, in fact, introduce a paddling bill, but Conroy is scheduled to announce his decision in the governor’s press office at 10:30 a.m. today.