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The city of Independence is sending a new message: The harassment of bicyclists, pedestrians and those controlling a wheelchair is now prohibited.
Independence City Council members Monday night unanimously approved an amendment to the City Code that prohibits the harassment of bicyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair operators. The ordinance concludes At-Large Council Member Jim Schultz’s efforts that he said included the research of similar efforts in other Missouri cities and conversations with state Rep. Tom McDonald, D-Independence, this summer.
“I understand there are some issues of some folks throwing coins, throwing QuikTrip drinks and bottles not only at pedestrians, but at people in wheelchairs and bicyclists,” Schultz said. “I thought if we have something in place that we can better address it and give our law enforcement another tool to help protect these people – I think it would be to the advantage of our city.”
According to the ordinance, the following actions are now prohibited “for the purpose of frightening, disturbing or injuring” bicyclists, people walking or running and people in a wheelchair: throwing an object at or in their direction; threats; shouting or directing loud or unusual sounds; knowingly placing them in apprehension of immediate physical danger; or knowingly engaging in conduct that creates a risk of death or serious physical injury toward them.
A similar ordinance took effect in Columbia, Mo., in summer 2009, and in Greenwood, Mo., in May. District 2 Council Member Will Swoffer expressed his support for the ordinance and also asked what kind of enforcement accompanies the City Code amendment.
According to City Counselor Allen Garner, the ordinance – like many Independence ordinances – relies on the city’s general penalty provision, meaning such violations carry a penalty of up to $500 and confinement in jail if the action is severe enough. Missouri state statute, Garner said, limits the city’s form of punishment for those violating the ordinance.
City Manager Robert Heacock said he and Independence Municipal Court Judge Garry Helm have both expressed the need to revisit the decades-old penalty provision with Missouri state legislators.
“We’re seeing more and more violent and difficult cases coming to Municipal Court that used to be handled at the county level,” Heacock said. “The range of penalty under the judges’ discretion at Municipal Court needs to be reviewed. Personally, if somebody is throwing an object at a bicyclist and cost that person significant damage, I don’t think a $500 fine is sufficient.
The city of Independence is sending a new message: The harassment of bicyclists, pedestrians and those controlling a wheelchair is now prohibited.
Independence City Council members Monday night unanimously approved an amendment to the City Code that prohibits the harassment of bicyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair operators. The ordinance concludes At-Large Council Member Jim Schultz’s efforts that he said included the research of similar efforts in other Missouri cities and conversations with state Rep. Tom McDonald, D-Independence, this summer.
“I understand there are some issues of some folks throwing coins, throwing QuikTrip drinks and bottles not only at pedestrians, but at people in wheelchairs and bicyclists,” Schultz said. “I thought if we have something in place that we can better address it and give our law enforcement another tool to help protect these people – I think it would be to the advantage of our city.”
According to the ordinance, the following actions are now prohibited “for the purpose of frightening, disturbing or injuring” bicyclists, people walking or running and people in a wheelchair: throwing an object at or in their direction; threats; shouting or directing loud or unusual sounds; knowingly placing them in apprehension of immediate physical danger; or knowingly engaging in conduct that creates a risk of death or serious physical injury toward them.
A similar ordinance took effect in Columbia, Mo., in summer 2009, and in Greenwood, Mo., in May. District 2 Council Member Will Swoffer expressed his support for the ordinance and also asked what kind of enforcement accompanies the City Code amendment.
According to City Counselor Allen Garner, the ordinance – like many Independence ordinances – relies on the city’s general penalty provision, meaning such violations carry a penalty of up to $500 and confinement in jail if the action is severe enough. Missouri state statute, Garner said, limits the city’s form of punishment for those violating the ordinance.
City Manager Robert Heacock said he and Independence Municipal Court Judge Garry Helm have both expressed the need to revisit the decades-old penalty provision with Missouri state legislators.
“We’re seeing more and more violent and difficult cases coming to Municipal Court that used to be handled at the county level,” Heacock said. “The range of penalty under the judges’ discretion at Municipal Court needs to be reviewed. Personally, if somebody is throwing an object at a bicyclist and cost that person significant damage, I don’t think a $500 fine is sufficient.
“As a municipality, I totally support Council Member Schultz in this effort. I think that it’s needed to send a loud-and-clear message to people that, ‘Hey, you better take everybody’s safety seriously.’”
CITY SUPPORTS WALL THAT HEALS EXHIBIT IN BLUE SPRINGS: The city of Independence has proclaimed Sept. 27 through Oct. 3 “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans, Welcome Home” Flag Week in Independence. According to the proclamation, the city encourages the display of the American Flag next week in honor of Vietnam Veterans and The Wall That Heals exhibition in Blue Springs.
According to the proclamation, ATK Small Caliber Systems, the operator of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in eastern Independence, supported the soldiers in the Vietnam conflict in supplying more than 14 billion rounds of ammunition.
The Wall That Heals, an exhibition featuring a 250-foot replica of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, includes an information center and other educational exhibits. It will travel to Blue Springs for a free display open 24 hours a day at Pink Hill Park from Sept. 30 through Oct. 3.
“This is an opportunity that we don’t have everyday, to see this wall,” Mayor Don Reimal said. “It would be very appropriate if everybody could make it out there and took advantage of it.”
