'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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Protesters against Boston anti-mask ordinance

A menagerie of frustrated lefties, several attending Monday’s City Council hearing in animal masks, pushed back on a proposal to ban face coverings at public gatherings — an idea that comes in response to violence by some masked people protesting against August’s Straight Pride Parade.

“Do not let a few bad apples to cause you to reflexively take away the freedoms of many,” said Mary Landale, who showed up in a zebra mask — and got into a tiff with city hall security chief Bill Joyce, who told her to leave if she didn’t take it off.

“This is not Hong Kong — this is Boston,” Landale said. She was one of a couple dozen people — touting progressive slogans and denouncing the Straight Pride marchers — who showed up to rail against the proposed mask ban during Monday’s hearing. Several wore animal masks such as sheep and owls.

Deputy Superintendent William Ridge, who leads the Boston Police Department’s patrol division, told the council that the city and state need to further penalize people who commit crimes while wearing masks — such as masked antifa-style agitators.

“What we’re seeing now is these organized groups that are ‘masking up’ — they’re doing this to remain anonymous,” Ridge told the councilors. “When we’re doing our job correctly, we’re becoming a target.”

City Councilor Tim McCarthy, who introduced the bill and chairs the public safety committee that held the hearing, said he’ll make a report from the committee at Wednesday’s meeting and schedule a working group with councilors and city officials to move toward a resolution.

“The mask protects them from legal accountability,” McCarthy said.

Cops say it was mainly black-clad and masked protesters at the Straight Pride Parade — many from out of state — who caused trouble and fought with police and the conservative paradegoers.

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Bill to honor fallen trooper headed to the governor

A bill named after a state trooper killed in the line of duty was overwhelmingly passed by North Carolina lawmakers on Wednesday and is now heading to Governor Roy Cooper’s desk.

House Bill 283, also called Conner’s Law, toughens the punishment for anyone convicted of assault with a firearm on law enforcement, probation and parole officers, or assault with a deadly weapon against other emergency responders.

The bill also provides an extra death benefit for families of public safety workers killed in the line of duty.

It’s named after former North Carolina State Trooper Kevin K. Conner, who was shot and killed last October while making a traffic stop in Columbus County.

The N.C. House unanimously passed the bill back in March. It then languished in Senate committees for approximately five months before a slightly altered version of the bill was unanimously passed by state senators on Sept. 10.

Nearly a year after Conner’s death, the final version of the bill bearing his name passed the House on Wednesday, 103-1.

“It has been a long road getting here. We have cried, grieved, and mourned for our friend Kevin. But let us rejoice today in his memory,” said Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus), one of the bill’s original sponsors. "I ask that everyone please continue to remember Miranda, Briley, Braxton, Glenn and Kay in their thoughts and prayers.

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