BRIGHTON, Mich. -- Since when did being annoying become a crime? Since Brighton City Council approved a public conduct code Monday night, which includes fining someone up to $500 for being annoying.
One section of the bill reads, "It shall be unlawful for a person to engage in a course of conduct or repeatedly commit acts that alarm or seriously annoy another person and that serve no legitimate purpose."
The bill also states it's unlawful for anyone to insult, accost, molest or otherwise annoy any person in public.
The ordinance was modeled after one in Royal Oak, where the Brighton police chief previously worked.
The Livingston Daily Press & Argus reported that two council members expressed concerns for the language of the ordinance, but voted for it anyway.
Brighton officials said the ordinance would be subjective and the call will be made by police officers.
The amended ordinance takes effect Jan. 17, 2009.
How many of us will be staying out of Brighton?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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3 comments:
The call may be made by the police officers, but it will ultimately be argued in court. This will enrich the coffers of the attorneys for sure. It is pretty much our "Disorderly Conduct" charge.
This is the section from the Penna Crimes Code
Section 5503. Disorderly Conduct.
a. Offense defined. - A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he:
1. engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior;
2. makes unreasonable noise;
3. uses obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture; or
4. creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.
b. Grading. - An offense under this section is a misdemeanor of the third degree if the intent of the actor is to cause substantial harm or serious inconvenience, or if he persists in disorderly conduct after reasonable warning or request to desist. Otherwise disorderly conduct is a summary offense.
Sounds like they wanted Wombat to move out of town.
You're just lucky they don't outlaw stupidity.
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