Alabama Bill Could Allow Prosecution of People who Swear at Officers, Interfere at Scenes

An Alabama House committee Wednesday held a hearing on a bill that would allow law enforcement to arrest people who direct abusive language at first responders, make obscene gestures or linger at a response scene after being ordered to leave.

HB 224, sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, prohibits someone from remaining within 25 feet of a first responder, such as firefighters and police, if they are ordered to keep their distance or vacate the scene, Al.com reports.

“We have seen where firemen are trying to do their job, whether it is trying to hook up a hose that may be a block away, and groups of individuals are impeding their ability and puts lives in danger,” Treadaway, a retired Birmingham assistant police chief, told the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday.

“Same thing with law enforcement officers.”

Those in violation of the law would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $6,000 fine.