HomeMy WebLinkAbout2164 Amending City Code Chapter 210 by Enacting New Section to Prohibit Interference with First Responders Engaged in Performance of Their DutiesBILL NO. 2026-030 ORDINANCE NO. 2164
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 210 BY ENACTING A NEW
SECTION TO PROHIBIT INTERFERENCE WITH FIRST RESPONDERS ENGAGED IN
THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE,
MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1 -ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT. That Chapter 210 of the City Code is
hereby amended by enacting a new Section 210.456, entitled "Interference with a First
Responder," which shall read as follows:
Section 210.456. Interference with a First Responder.
A. A person commits the offense of interference with a first responder if:
1. The person has received a verbal warning not to approach from a person
that he or she knows, or reasonably should know, to be a first responder; and
2. The first responder is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty; and
3. The person knowingly and willfully violates the verbal warning and
approaches within twenty (20) feet of the first responder with the intent to:
a) Impede or interfere with the first responder's ability to perform his or her legal duty;
b) Threaten the first responder with physical harm; or
c) Engage in a course of conduct directed at the first responder which
serves no legitimate purpose.
B. For purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
1. Advanced Emergency Medical Technician shall have the same meaning
as defined in Section 190.100, RSMo.
2. Emergency Medical Technician shall have the same meaning as defined
in Section 190.100, RSMo.
3. Firefighter means any officer or employee of a fire department or fire
protection district employed for the purpose of fighting fires, but shall not
include any person employed in a clerical or other capacity not involving
firefighting duties.
1
BILL NO. 2026-030 ORDINANCE NO. 2164
4. First Responder means any law enforcement officer, firefighter,
paramedic, emergency medical technician, or advanced emergency medical technician.
5. Paramedic shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 190.100, RSMo.
C. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to restrict an individual's rights under
the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, including the right to
observe or record first responders engaged in the performance of their duties.
D. Any person found guilty of violating this Section shall be punished as provided
in Section 100.240 of this Code.
SECTION 2 -EFFECTIVE DATE. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect
from and after the date of its passage and approval.
BE IT REMEMBERED that the above was read two times by title only, PASSED
AND APPROVED by a majority of the Board of Aldermen and APPROVED by the Mayor
of the City of Riverside this 21st day of April 2026.
/s/ Kathleen L. Rose
Kathleen L. Rose, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/ Melissa McChesney
Melissa McChesney, City Clerk
2