Suffolk police union urges state to create buffer zones at crime scenes
Organizers say 15 feet of space is needed to reduce the risk of injury to first responders and prevent interference from bystanders who may be causing a public safety threat.
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The Suffolk PBA took part in a rally at City Hall in Manhattan Thursday to call on the state to pass new legislation that would create a buffer zone at a scene.
Organizers say 15 feet of space is needed to reduce the risk of injury to first responders and prevent interference from bystanders who may be causing a public safety threat.
Donna Lieberman, the executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, disagreed with that sentiment saying, "Every no-speech, buffer zone proposal under consideration in Albany will stifle free speech and violate New Yorkers’ rights to engage in peaceful political protest. These proposals could seriously impair New Yorkers’ ability to exercise their first amendment rights and send the absolutely wrong message."
Lou Civello, president of the Suffolk PBA said, "We need to protect the protectors. We need to have a rational common sense law. Not a law that would protect you from filming, not a law that infringes any way on your first amendment rights, a law that simply says you can't interfere, you can't harass, and you have to back up."
