A Florida science teacher, Dean Liptack, has landed in hot water after using a cell phone jammer in his classroom. Officials warn that his actions could have endangered nearby residents, preventing them from making emergency 911 calls. Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco expressed concern, stating that ‘something horrible could have happened’ due to the jammer’s interference. The teacher’s intention was to force students to pay attention, but Nocco emphasized that public safety was compromised as a result.
Will a Cell Phone Jammer Improve Classroom Focus?
Dean Liptak, a teacher at Fivay High School, received a 5-day suspension without pay after using a cell phone jammer in his classroom. His intention was to encourage students to focus on the lesson instead of their phones. Liptak believed the jammer would only affect his classroom, prompting students to put down their devices and engage with the lesson. However, the district pointed out that the use of such devices is illegal, although Verizon Wireless chose not to prosecute him. According to Joseph Sekula, a communications expert from the Sheriff’s office, a jammer can disrupt signals within a range of 50 to 1,000 feet, potentially affecting a wider area. Sekula noted that the situation could have been worse, as those located a mile or two away from the Verizon site might have experienced difficulties in making calls.
Using a cell phone jammer inside the classroom can lead to severe consequences. While Nocco considers it a non-arrestable offense, Florida law views it as a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine. However, the Federal Communication Commission takes a stricter stance, with penalties ranging from $16,000 to $112,000 and even possible criminal imprisonment. It’s important to note that no individual or entity, including local and state law enforcement, has FCC authorization to use these jamming devices. Regarding the incident involving the teacher, the FCC remains silent. This isn’t Liptak’s first brush with controversy in the district. The former pro wrestler, now a science teacher, faced reprimand in 2013 for using violent questions in a test, referencing scenarios like a student being thrown against a wall by a teacher and a car running over a baby. Clearly, the use of a cell phone jammer in the classroom is a serious matter that can lead to significant legal and financial repercussions.