Anyone who does "any act" that "hampers or impedes" a police officer, firefighter or other first responder, or intentionally interferes with radio and other communications, will risk up to a year in jail and $1,000 in fines if a bill approved in committee Tuesday becomes law. [Bill 30-0047]
Sen. Judi Buckley, who sponsored the bill along with Sen. Sammuel Sanes, said police brought to her attention that "one of the issues they frequently have" is a lack of respect and disruptive behavior "while securing a crime scene or whatever they happen to be doing."
The original bill only applied to police, but Buckley said she had amendments to expand it to include fire fighters and other first responders, and to make interfering with police communications a crime too. [Amendment to Bill 30-0047]
Police, Justice Department and Fire Services officials testified in support of the change, saying they face serious problems with people ignoring their directions in an emergency and interfering with them during dangerous situations. Attorney Samuel Joseph with the Office of the Public Defender said he believes there are constitutional issues and that the fine is too high.
"We are in support of this bill, which expands the definition and clearly defines the acts which constitute this cries, which is good," Attorney General Vincent Frazer testified to the Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice Committee on Tuesday.
V.I. Fire Services Director Steve Brow said the bill "would greatly benefit the members of the V.I. Fire Services," because there have been many, many occasions when people have delayed firefighters, putting life and property at risk.
"It happens when we go out at night to extinguish fires" that firefighters struggle to keep owners out of the building, even while they are in the process of putting out the fire, Brow said.
Buckley asked Police Commissioner Rodney Querrard why police wanted interference with communication added to the bill.
Querrard said that during operations in the past, "people have keyed a microphone and blocked the communication."
"If an officer did it, it would be grounds for dismissal,” he said, adding that it could cost someone their life. “You just don’t do that," he said.
Buckley offered an amendment, which was approved without opposition. Voting to send the bill as amended on for further consideration in the Rules and Judiciary Committee were Buckley, Sanes, Sens. Craig Barshinger and Kenneth Gittens. Absent were Sens. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, Clarence Payne and Tregenza Roach.
