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Posted on 12/20/2008 5:08:22 AM PST by Past Your Eyes
Don’t annoy someone in Brighton city or you might get a ticket.
The Brighton City Council approved a more stringent code for public conduct, and those who violate the rules – including annoying someone else – could be ticketed and fined. The ordinance was modeled after one in Royal Oak, where Brighton Police Chief Tom Wightman previously was employed.
One of the sections 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.”
Another section states, “It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to insult, accost, molest or otherwise annoy, either by word of mouth, sign or motions any person in any public place.”
Two City Council members expressed concerns about the ordinance but ended up voting for it.
Council member Jim Bohn said some of the language was subjective.
“I’m not sure what alarm or seriously annoy means,” Bohn said.
Council member Jim Muzzin asked if he were to stand up and read “War and Peace,” during his five-minute limit at call to the public at numerous meetings, “would I be ticketed or fined?”
Paul Burns, city attorney, responded no.
Burns said City Council chambers are considered a “bastion of democracy” and the law provides a wide breath for free speech. Burns said there could be a situation where a ticket issued violates someone’s free speech, but he said his office would be reviewing these cases.
City Manager Dana Foster said enforcement would be a subjective call made by police officers. However, Foster said the rules are aimed at those who interfere in public areas as opposed to residents who are simply annoying for annoyance’s sake.
The amended ordinance takes effect 15 days from approval, which is Jan. 2, 2009.
Is this Michigan? It took me 10 minutes to figure out at the source.
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Ordnance-worthy ordinance alert.
Evangelizing, Salvation Army bells, pro-conservative discussions and criticizing That One will certainly be subject to this ‘law’.
Did that annoy you?
Look at the bright side - they have outlawed dadaism.
Naw—I’ll give you a get out of jail free card on this one—LOL! It has made for some interesting conversation.
Good!
This means we now have a way to fight Liberals.
Brighton is in Michigan, about an hour’s drive West of Detroit, and a little over half an hour East of Lansing.
I believe “Mt.Brighton” is a garbage heap........
Mt. Trashmore is south of Detroit.
Yep, its a Brave New World.
Not sure why so many FReepers are against this.. they have effectively banned the democrat party.
Really? That's not what my English-born and raised wife says. She visited them, especially the ones in Cornwall, regularly as a child. Her memories are all fond. I look forward to seeing the jewel of English seaside resorts, Blackpoole, sometime in the near future. Great Yarmouth was pretty good, so we'll see if Blackpoole can outdo it.
A little. But I got over it being Christmas and all.
If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.
Big fish, little pond syndrome, so common in the mitten
Um...doesn't that make the ordinance void on its face, since it can't (won't) be applied equally to all?
Yep, that'll work real well...
Another "No Lawyer Left Behind" bit of legislation.
Well, stop looking at him, and you won't know whether or not he's looking at you.
Giggle. All the more reason to strike it down, now. Thanks!
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