Nassau County Wants a 15-Foot No-Go Zone Around Cops—Critics Call It Unconstitutional

Nassau County, New York, is stirring the pot with a controversial proposal: a bill that would make it illegal to stand within 15 feet of police officers or any first responders during emergencies. If you break the buffer, you’re looking at a misdemeanor, a $1,000 fine, and maybe even up to a year behind bars. That’s one expensive game of hot potato.

Proponents say the measure is all about keeping first responders safe from threats, harassment, and physical interference. Legislator John Ferretti, a Republican, stressed the need for frontline heroes to do their lifesaving work without any extra chaos. "It is important that first responders are not obstructed during emergency situations and that our frontline heroes are allowed to engage in the lifesaving actions they are trained to perform without distractions," Ferretti said.

Interestingly, state law already punishes those who interfere with first responders—same year in jail, same fine. But this Nassau bill, which has garnered support from both Republicans and some Democrats, goes further by making distance itself a crime. Democrat legislator Seth Koslow, who’s running for county executive, argued, "Our cops and first responders shouldn’t have to fight crowds while they’re saving lives. This bill gives them the authority to keep chaos out and do their jobs without interference. It’s backed by both parties — because protecting those who protect us shouldn’t be political."

But not everyone’s buying it. Civil liberties advocates say this law is a step too far. Justin Harrison from the New York Civil Liberties Union warned that these "floating buffer zones" could be used to shield police actions from public scrutiny. "Laws that make it harder to monitor the police don’t make anybody safer — in reality, they violate the Constitution, run counter to government transparency principles, and foster distrust in law enforcement," Harrison noted.

Other states have tried similar moves, like Louisiana’s 25-foot rule—blocked by a federal judge just last month for violating due process and the First Amendment rights of journalists. Arizona and Indiana laws have also been blocked. As Harrison put it, "We expect that Nassau’s law, if passed, will meet the same fate."

It’s a classic standoff: safety for the people who keep us safe, versus the right to keep an eye on those same people. In the end, Nassau might find that a buffer zone can’t keep out constitutional challenges.