Ohio Senate Passes Bill to Protect Police, First Responders

 

The Ohio Senate unanimously passed a bill introduced by Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) that will enhance protection for individuals who serve in law enforcement or as a first responder.

If enacted, an assault of an emergency responder or their families could lead to a possible 4th degree felony. Further, an individual who places a first responder or their family in fear of physical harm can be charged with a 1st degree misdemeanor.

“Over the past year, we have seen how our nation’s first responders have been the targets of intimidation, menacing and assault,” Schaffer said in a statement. “Around the country, responders have been followed home, their property has been targeted and their families intimidated. I am proud to sponsor this much needed legislation to protect our first responders and their families from these threats”

Additionally, the bill will make it a 1st degree misdemeanor for obstructing a public passageway, if done to prevent an emergency vehicle from responding to or exiting an emergency

“As a legislative body, we need to ensure that the men and women who bravely serve our communities are protected from those who vilify, target and attack them for personal or political gain,” Schaffer added.

Over the past year, the country has witnessed a concerning trend of violence against law enforcement among calls to “defund the police.” Emergency responders have also witnessed their own troubles. Last year, protestors in Virginia blocked the road and prevented firefighters from accessing a burning building with a child inside.

Yes, Every Kid

The bill — endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Fire Chiefs Association, and other other police and first responder organizations — will now head to the Ohio House of Representatives for their approval.

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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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10 Thoughts to “Ohio Senate Passes Bill to Protect Police, First Responders”

  1. Stephanie Prevo

    Does this include Protecting Innocent, Unarmed Citizens and Blacks as well. Those being murdered with made up excuses to shoot and Kill need 1st Responder Protection as well. Hope, you’ve considered to add THAT part too.

  2. Dr Ken

    A question, will the law if enacted, be enforced? Will court officers, specifically elected prosecutors vigorously prosecute the charges?

  3. robert orians

    The trouble is in the blue hives such as Cleveland[the mistake on the lake we call it ] and Columbus the libs that are in control will protect the scum and put the cops on trial .

  4. Judy Hughes

    During all the protesting mobs, arsonists, looting, throwing bricks at police & their horses, hurting & killing people, destroying personal, & federal properties, with people in these properties. ., Then blocking law enforcement & emergency vehicles from going in to help was so uncalled for. People needed help & these mobs were blocking help, ganging up & blocking help to prevent them to get where they needed to go & help. Just outright beat & shoot the police that were trying to help & protect the citizens. These Dem. city officials just let it happen. Didn’t try to bring it under control. Could have had the military come in to help. What few arrests that were made, the crooks were bailed. The disrespect shown to law enforcement was condoned. People’s property destroyed. Their lives of hardworking to build their businesses.& homes of a lifetime gone. We need help to protect police & first responders, they have sworn to help & protect citizens & properties businesses the innocent people. Not all are bad. The circumstances are of of all of last Summer was not because they screaming rights those mobs wanted to destroy for no reason. They were paid to do it. Protect our law enforcement & first responders.

    1. Dr Ken

      Very well stated Judy. The rioters, the looters, need to be fully prosecuted with the most serious charge possible, not simply having bail posted by Democrats (notably Kamala Harris) running for office.

  5. William R. Delzell

    Police have a right to defend themselves, but not to deliberately abuse their power by harming law-abiding persons just because of their skin color, gender, orientation, or economic class standing. While we want police to have enough tools to do their job of serving and protecting, we still want to hold them accountable for their actions as they took an oath to serve and defend; not to persecute and bully.

  6. LelaParker

    Thank heavens some one still has a brain.

  7. Billy Black

    If law enforcement would just do their job, and do it correctly, then this wouldn’t be an issue. Proper training (years, not weeks or months) would significantly help to resolve the issue. Unfortunately, it’s extremely common that the people who go into law enforcement are looking more to ‘enforce’ than they are to protect the laws they barely understand due to their lack of training/knowledge on the matters.

  8. Deborah

    Since when has it been racist to respect law enforcement and first responders? What kind of world is all this divisive propaganda about race creating? Critical Theory was originally directed at fomenting class unrest and “struggle.” Now we have Critical Race Theory trying the same thing with race. It’s all about creating unrest and encouraging attacks on the foundations of democratic government. Please, look at how this has been used in the past – and what the results are in those countries where it was “successful.”

  9. Willie White

    It’s a sad day to live in Ohio, I pray for our nation as a whole, the racist agenda of this and other legislation recently enacted including stand your ground make me ashamed of us.

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