NEW YORK (PIX11) – A new bill would create a 15-foot “safety buffer” around on-duty New York police officers, restricting onlookers from coming closer and interfering.
The bill would allow police to arrest someone for staying within 15 feet of a police officer, firefighter, judge, prosecutor or paramedic after being asked to move back. It was introduced by Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton in the state Senate and Rep. Kwani O’Pharrow in the state Assembly.
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The interference charge would be a class B misdemeanor, according to the bill. The buffer zone applies only to state and local workers in acting their official capacity.
“A person is guilty of interference … when such person knowingly and willingly fails to comply with such warning and remains within or approaches the safety buffer zone with intent to impede, threaten, harass, or otherwise interfere,” the bill reads…