[HISTORY: Adopted by the Suffolk County Legislature 12-16-2025 by L.L. No. 10-2026. Amendments noted where applicable. Uncodified sections of local laws amending these provisions are included as an attachment to this chapter.]
A. 
Findings.
(1) 
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that first responders are often called to work in high stress, crowded and potentially dangerous situations.
(2) 
This Legislature further finds and determines that any attempt to interfere with, harass, or threaten first responders that are engaged in a lawful performance of their duties endangers public safety and potentially hinders timely and effective emergency response, putting the lives of first responders and those they are attempting to aid at substantial risk of injury or death.
(3) 
This Legislature also finds and determines that allowing first responders that are engaged in the lawful performance of their duties to establish a 15-foot zone whereby non-first-responder personnel are prohibited from entering will enhance public safety and will protect first responders from threats and physical interference during inherently dangerous or high-stress situations.
B. 
Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to establish a 15-foot zone of protection that balances both the rights of bystanders to view the work of first responders while ensuring that bystanders do not intentionally or unintentionally endanger or interfere with first responders that are performing their lawful duties.
As used in this chapter, the following term shall have the meaning indicated:
FIRST RESPONDER
Shall mean a police officer as defined by Criminal Procedure Law § 1.20, Subdivision 34, a certified first responder, emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician or paramedic as defined by Section 3001 of the Public Health Law, supervising fire inspectors, fire inspectors, the Fire Marshal and Assistant Fire Marshals, firefighters, probation officers, park rangers, auxiliary police officers and peace officers.
A. 
A first responder may issue a warning to keep a distance of 15 feet to a person who approaches such first responder who reasonably believes that such person presents a threat to the safety of the first responder, bystanders, or others who otherwise may interfere with or obstruct the first responder's lawful performance of his or her duties.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for a person, after receiving a warning not to approach, pursuant to Subsection (A) of this section, from a person he or she knows or reasonably should know is a first responder, rescue, investigation, interrogation, traffic stop while securing property, establishing a safe perimeter, or maintaining public order, to knowingly and willfully violate such warning and approach or maintain within 15 feet of the first responder.
C. 
Nothing in this section shall prevent the right of the public to photograph or video the first responder who is engaged in the performance of the acts set forth in Subsection (B).
D. 
Any person that violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both.