'Annoying' an officer could lead to jail time, big fines in Monroe County, New York

The Monroe County Legislature has passed a law that makes harassing or annoying police officers against the law and adds protections for first responders and peace officers. And the penalties are stiff.

It was approved last week in a 17-10 vote. The measure, written by Republican Legislator Karla Boyce, could mean thousands of dollars in fines or even jail time for anyone who “intends to annoy, alarm or threaten the personal safety of the police officer, peace officer or first responder.”

Boyce said most of the reaction she’s heard was positive, but she has heard some objections that center on one word.

“Annoy, OK? I know that was what was used on the floor of the legislature," Boyce said.

When asked to describe what annoying behavior would look like, Boyce didn't provide specifics.

"I think it’s the intent of the person that is making the overture or harassment,” said Boyce. “It’s no different than how someone can perceive feeling unsafe in the workplace. So you could say to me, ‘How can you feel unsafe?’ 'Well, that’s how I feel. I feel unsafe because of X, Y or Z.' ”

Boyce said no Democrat asked her to change the wording of her bill.

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U.S. Sen. Gary Peters promotes legislation to improve security at places of worship

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) met with faith leaders and law enforcement officials in Southfield Friday, Nov. 8, to discuss his bipartisan efforts to improve security for faith-based institutions in Michigan.

Peters highlighted his bipartisan legislation that recently advanced in the Senate to provide grants to nonprofits and religious organizations to help secure their facilities against potential terrorist attacks.

“Places of worship should be a safe haven, where people can practice their religion without fear of being attacked. But tragically, the rise in the number of violent attacks against synagogues, mosques and churches across the country has shattered that expectation,” said Peters.

Religious leaders from the Detroit area attended the roundtable at St. John Armenian Church to discuss their security concerns and how they can benefit from the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

Law enforcement officials, including representatives from the DHS’s Cybersecurity and Information Security Agency and the Michigan State Police also joined the discussion to advise attendees about best practices for improving security in churches, synagogues, mosques, gurdwaras, and other houses of worship.

Peters’ bipartisan Protecting Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations from Terrorism Act, which he introduced with U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), would authorize $75 million annually over the next five years for the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

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