Topic
Protected Speech
Broome County Legislators Want to Criminalize “Annoying” First Responders
Broome County legislators have introduced a bill that would criminalize any behavior that “annoy, alarm, or threaten the safety of any emergency first responder.” According to Scott Baker, a Republican legislator who introduced the bill, it was in response to recent events around the country, including a protest at a Columbus Day parade in the town of Binghamton, NY.
On Tuesday, November 12, the Monroe County legislature passed a measure that would allow police officers to arrest anyone that “annoys, alarms, or threatens the personal safety of an officer.” The bill, which was sponsored by Republican legislator Karla Boyce, passed by a 17-10 vote.