SALEM, OR -- Bend Police Chief Jim Porter recently testified in Salem in support of a bill to address threats against schools and places of worship and closing a gap in state law between menacing and disorderly conduct. Porter testified in favor of a bill sponsored by State Senator Tim Knopp and Representative Cheri Helt which classifies these threats as a Class A, not a Class B misdemeanor. Porter says under a Class A misdemeanor, adults and juveniles can be held. However under a Class B misdemeanor juveniles can not be held. He says holding juveniles is important so they can be evaluated as most threats against schools and churches are mental health cases.