This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Charter
Township of Pittsfield Interference with Public Safety Ordinance."
It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township to resist,
obstruct, hinder, oppose, assault, beat, or otherwise interfere with
a police or public safety officer, or other person duly empowered
with police authority, while such officer or person is in the discharge
of his or her duty. Interference with a police officer shall include,
but is not limited to, throwing objects at the officer, inciting others
to obstruct, resist, hinder, or oppose an officer, obstructing the
path of an officer, and the use of fighting or obscene words or gestures.
It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township to knowingly
or willfully hinder, obstruct, or interfere with any firefighter or
emergency rescue personnel while such firefighter or personnel is
in the discharge of his or her duties at a fire or emergency rescue
event, or to willfully cause damage to any hose, equipment, or apparatus
belonging to the Fire Department or emergency rescue unit.
A person who shall be convicted of violating any provision of
this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a
fine not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment not to exceed 90 days,
or both, at the discretion of the court. Each day a violation continues
shall be considered a separate offense and may be punished accordingly.