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Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New York's Nassau County seeks to ban standing within 15 feet of cops under bill panned as unconstitutional
Lawmakers in Nassau County, New York, are pushing a measure to make it illegal to stand within 15 feet of police officers or other first responders during an emergency, although critics of the proposal argue that it is unconstitutional. People who enter the "buffer zone" for first responders during an emergency would face a misdemeanor charge and a $1,000 fine along with the possibility of up to a year behind bars, according to the bill introduced by the county Board of Legislators. The measure seeks to protect first responders from "threats, harassment, and physical interference," lawmakers say. "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, a Republican, told the New York Post. New York Proposal Would Ban Police From Making Traffic Stops For Minor Violations To Pursue 'Racial Equity' State law already subjects people who interfere with first responders to up to a year in jail, three years of probation or a $1,000 fine. Read On The Fox News App The new bill was introduced by Republicans but has garnered support from some Democrats, according to the newspaper. "Our cops and first responders shouldn't have to fight crowds while they're saving lives," Democrat legislator Seth Koslow, who is running for county executive, told the New York Post. "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." Despite the bipartisan support among lawmakers, critics say the bill goes too far and could be abused to curb people's constitutional rights. "Floating buffer zones offer yet another way for police to keep their activities hidden from public scrutiny," New York Civil Liberties Union senior policy counsel Justin Harrison told the New York Post. "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." Some other states have passed similar laws that were later struck down by the courts. Video Captures New York Grandmother, Children Narrowly Avoiding Manhole Explosion Louisiana passed a law last year prohibiting people from being within 25 feet of police after being told to back up. But last month, a federal judge blocked the measure, finding that it violated the 14th Amendment's due process regulations and could infringe on journalists' press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment that grants them the right to film officers. Similar laws in Arizona and Indiana have also been blocked by federal judges. "We expect that Nassau's law, if passed, will meet the same fate," Harrison article source: New York's Nassau County seeks to ban standing within 15 feet of cops under bill panned as unconstitutional
Fox News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
New York's Nassau County seeks to ban standing within 15 feet of cops under bill panned as unconstitutional
Lawmakers in Nassau County, New York, are pushing a measure to make it illegal to stand within 15 feet of police officers or other first responders during an emergency, although critics of the proposal argue that it is unconstitutional. People who enter the "buffer zone" for first responders during an emergency would face a misdemeanor charge and a $1,000 fine along with the possibility of up to a year behind bars, according to the bill introduced by the county Board of Legislators. The measure seeks to protect first responders from "threats, harassment, and physical interference," lawmakers say. "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, a Republican, told the New York Post. State law already subjects people who interfere with first responders to up to a year in jail, three years of probation or a $1,000 fine. The new bill was introduced by Republicans but has garnered support from some Democrats, according to the newspaper. "Our cops and first responders shouldn't have to fight crowds while they're saving lives," Democrat legislator Seth Koslow, who is running for county executive, told the New York Post. "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." Despite the bipartisan support among lawmakers, critics say the bill goes too far and could be abused to curb people's constitutional rights. "Floating buffer zones offer yet another way for police to keep their activities hidden from public scrutiny," New York Civil Liberties Union senior policy counsel Justin Harrison told the New York Post. "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." Some other states have passed similar laws that were later struck down by the courts. Louisiana passed a law last year prohibiting people from being within 25 feet of police after being told to back up. But last month, a federal judge blocked the measure, finding that it violated the 14th Amendment's due process regulations and could infringe on journalists' press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment that grants them the right to film officers. Similar laws in Arizona and Indiana have also been blocked by federal judges. "We expect that Nassau's law, if passed, will meet the same fate," Harrison said.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nassau County wants to make it illegal to stand within 15 feet of cops — but critics say ‘buffer zone' is unconstitutional
Nassau County lawmakers want to make it illegal to stand within 15 feet of cops and other emergency workers — but critics say the 'buffer zone' would be unconstitutional. Civilians who enter the 'zone' for police, firefighters and other first responders during an emergency would be slapped with a misdemeanor and a $1,000 fine — with the possibility of up to a year behind bars, according to a new bill introduced by Republicans in the county Board of Legislators. The goal of the bill aims to protect emergency responders from 'threats, harassment, and physical interference' while on the job, according to 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 said. The proposed law has bipartisan support from some Democrats, including Seth Koslow, who is running for county executive against Republican incumbent Bruce Blakeman. 'Our cops and first responders shouldn't have to fight crowds while they're saving lives,' Koslow told The Post. '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 law already punishes people who interfere with first responders with up to a year in jail, three years of probation, or a $1,000 fine. But the county's 15-foot buffer goes a step farther, blocking anyone from even walking near an emergency worker — a distinction that riled critics, who said it could easily be abused. 'Floating buffer zones offer yet another way for police to keep their activities hidden from public scrutiny,' Justin Harrison, senior policy counsel at the NYCLU, told The Post. '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 other states that have passed, and then blocked, similar laws throughout the country. Louisiana passed a law last year banning people from getting within 25 feet of police after being told to back up — but a federal judge blocked it last month, ruling it violated the 14th Amendment's due process regulations and could infringe on a reporter's First Amendment right to film officers and gather news. Similar laws in Arizona and Indiana have also been struck down by federal judges. 'We expect that Nassau's law, if passed, will meet the same fate,' Harrison said.
New York Post
22-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Nassau County wants to make it illegal to stand within 15 feet of cops — but critics say ‘buffer zone' is unconstitutional
Nassau County lawmakers want to make it illegal to stand within 15 feet of cops and other emergency workers — but critics say the 'buffer zone' would be unconstitutional. Civilians who enter the 'zone' for police, firefighters and other first responders during an emergency would be slapped with a misdemeanor and a $1,000 fine — with the possibility of up to a year behind bars, according to a new bill introduced by Republicans in the county Board of Legislators. The goal of the bill aims to protect emergency responders from 'threats, harassment, and physical interference' while on the job, according to lawmakers. Advertisement 3 Civilians who enter the 'zone' for police, firefighters and other first responders during an emergency would be slapped with a misdemeanor and a $1,000 fine. Gabriella Bass '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 said. The proposed law has bipartisan support from some Democrats, including Seth Koslow, who is running for county executive against Republican incumbent Bruce Blakeman. Advertisement 'Our cops and first responders shouldn't have to fight crowds while they're saving lives,' Koslow told The Post. '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 law already punishes people who interfere with first responders with up to a year in jail, three years of probation, or a $1,000 fine. 3 John Ferretti holds up art work his children made to sen to the health care workers and first responders as he announced 'Letter to Our Heroes' March 30, 2020 Levittown, NY. Dennis A. Clark But the county's 15-foot buffer goes a step farther, blocking anyone from even walking near an emergency worker — a distinction that riled critics, who said it could easily be abused. Advertisement 'Floating buffer zones offer yet another way for police to keep their activities hidden from public scrutiny,' Justin Harrison, senior policy counsel at the NYCLU, told The Post. '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 other states that have passed, and then blocked, similar laws throughout the country. 3 Seth Koslow stands with a coalition of Nassau County legislators and top civil rights attorneys on Feb. 5, 2025 in Mineola, New York. Newsday via Getty Images Louisiana passed a law last year banning people from getting within 25 feet of police after being told to back up — but a federal judge blocked it last month, ruling it violated the 14th Amendment's due process regulations and could infringe on a reporter's First Amendment right to film officers and gather news. Advertisement Similar laws in Arizona and Indiana have also been struck down by federal judges. 'We expect that Nassau's law, if passed, will meet the same fate,' Harrison said.
USA Today
22-02-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Lawler responds to leaders slamming him for questioning Westchester official's citizenship
Lawler responds to leaders slamming him for questioning Westchester official's citizenship Show Caption Hide Caption Latino leaders react to Mike Lawler's questioning citizenship Latino leaders speak out against statements by Rep. Mike Lawler when he questioned the citizenship of Legislature Vice Chairman Jose Alvarado. This column was updated with new information. Latino leaders, county legislators and Westchester Democrats on Thursday, Feb. 20, denounced Rep. Mike Lawler for questioning the citizenship of the county's highest-ranking Latino elected official. The criticism was unleashed on the steps of the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains, where Lawler on Tuesday made the remarks to Jose Alvarado, vice chairman of the county Board of Legislators. Alvarado, director of recreation in the city of Yonkers Department of Parks and Recreation, is serving his eighth term on the county board. Lawler made the remarks on Tuesday as he and Rep. George Latimer, D-Rye, were meeting with the board Tuesday afternoon to discuss federal issues. Lawler, R-Pearl River, won a decisive re-election victory in November in a swing district with substantially more enrolled Democrats than Republicans. Lawler says he's considering running for New York governor in 2026. Leading the press event on Thursday was Yonkers City Councilwoman Corozon Pineda-Isaac, D-Yonkers. 'We refuse to stay silent in the face of racism, discrimination and xenophobia,' she said. 'We are not going to allow anyone, not even a Congressman, no matter what's their title or position, to question our legitimacy and our worth." Lawler had questioned Alvarado's citizenship after the vice chairman posed a hypothetical question about what documents someone who looks like him should carry to satisfy inquiries by federal agents with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That agency is currently scouring the country for undocumented immigrants with criminal records as part of President Donald Trump's mass deportation plans. That effort has struck fear in the local immigrant community. Lawler's Congressional office released a statement, calling the criticism "overblown and hyper-partisan." The statement included a letter from Latino leaders from Westchester and Rockland counties, who supported Lawler. Those supporters included former Westchester County Legislator Virginia Perez, former Peekskill Common Councilman Joe Torres, and Jorge Folch, president of the Rockland County Hispanic Law Enforcement Organization. Related: Did Mike Lawler question Westchester legislator's citizenship at meeting? What he said "The attempts to twist his words into something sinister is a sad reflection on our current political environment when people immediately attack someone they disagree with instead of engaging in productive discourse," the letter stated. Lawler spokesman Nate Soule called the criticism "ridiculous attacks." "From Vice Chair Alvarado's predecessor to former members of the Peekskill City Council and leaders of prestigious community organizations, it's clear the ridiculous attacks on Congressman Lawler are overblown and hyper partisan,' said Lawler spokesman Nate Soule. 'Those engaging in this absurd character assassination only do so because they can't debate immigration policy or defend their own radical beliefs and votes.' Lawler has not issued an apology to Alvarado, which was requested by the Democratic caucus of the Board of Legislators. Alvarado, who emigrated to the U.S. in 1982 at age 17, became a U.S. citizen in 1989 after graduating from college. Ximena Francella, of New Rochelle, who serves as co-chair of the Westchester Hispanic Democrats, said Lawler's words stung Westchester's immigrant community. 'It was a flagrant racist remark when he should know that a sitting elected official is an U.S. citizen,' she said. 'He's a MAGA Republican who always votes against the interests of the most vulnerable communities.' Effie Phillips-Staley, a Tarrytown village trustee, said Lawler's remarks were an insult to the tens of thousands of Latino residents in the 17th Congressional District, and the estimated 200,000 Latinos who live in Westchester County. Legislator Erika Pierce, D-Bedford, characterized Lawler's comments as 'hate speech of a sort.' She said Alvarado was asking Lawler what documents someone like him — an American citizen — needed to carry to show that he belonged in the county. 'At best it showed his ignorance, and at worst a complete lack of understanding and compassion for what Hispanic immigrants are going through today,' she said. 'He clearly did not care about the impacts of the question.' Of interest: Lawler sues 60 in Westchester County jail to prevent them from voting in close NY-17 race Pineda-Isaac said it was time for Lawler to take ownership of what he said. 'It's important when a community is telling you that (something) offended them, to embrace that offense, and take ownership of that,' she said. 'That's what he hasn't done. He has written it off, like it wasn't a serious offense.' She said the community was awaiting his apology. 'At the very least, he should offer an apology to County Legislator Jose Alvarado,' she said. 'The first step is to accept the fact that you said something that was offensive.' Sign up for Wilson's weekly newsletter for insights into his Tax Watch columns. David McKay Wilson writes about tax issues and government accountability. Follow him on Twitter @davidmckay415 or email him at dwilson3@
