Nassau County lawmakers wish to make it unlawful to face inside 15 ft of cops and different emergency employees — however critics say the “buffer zone” could be unconstitutional.
Civilians who enter the “zone” for police, firefighters and different first responders throughout an emergency could be slapped with a misdemeanor and a $1,000 high-quality — with the potential of as much as a 12 months behind bars, based on a brand new invoice launched by Republicans within the county Board of Legislators.
The aim of the invoice goals to guard emergency responders from “threats, harassment, and physical interference” whereas on the job, based on lawmakers.
“It is important that first responders are not obstructed during emergency situations and that our frontline heroes are allowed to engage in the lifesaving actions they are trained to perform without distractions,” Legislator John Ferretti stated.
The proposed regulation has bipartisan assist from some Democrats, together with Seth Koslow, who’s operating for county govt towards Republican incumbent Bruce Blakeman.
“Our cops and first responders shouldn’t have to fight crowds while they’re saving lives,” Koslow advised The Submit. “This bill gives them the authority to keep chaos out and do their jobs without interference. It’s backed by both parties — because protecting those who protect us shouldn’t be political.”
State regulation already punishes individuals who intrude with first responders with as much as a 12 months in jail, three years of probation, or a $1,000 high-quality.
However the county’s 15-foot buffer goes a step farther, blocking anybody from even strolling close to an emergency employee — a distinction that riled critics, who stated it might simply be abused.
“Floating buffer zones offer yet another way for police to keep their activities hidden from public scrutiny,” Justin Harrison, senior coverage counsel on the NYCLU, advised The Submit. “Laws that make it harder to monitor the police don’t make anybody safer — in reality, they violate the Constitution, run counter to government transparency principles, and foster distrust in law enforcement.”
Harrison referenced different states which have handed, after which blocked, related legal guidelines all through the nation.
Louisiana handed a regulation final 12 months banning individuals from getting inside 25 ft of police after being advised to again up — however a federal choose blocked it final month, ruling it violated the 14th Modification’s due course of rules and will infringe on a reporter’s First Modification proper to movie officers and collect information.
Related legal guidelines in Arizona and Indiana have additionally been struck down by federal judges.
“We expect that Nassau’s law, if passed, will meet the same fate,” Harrison stated.
