What’s Missouri’s new Halo law? Teen ‘meet-up’ in Blue Springs raises question
An incident Saturday, March 28, involving a large gathering of teens in Blue Springs brought up discussion about a new Missouri law.
Over 100 teens were at a Blue Springs shopping district for a “truck meet-up” that later “became increasingly volatile,” according to the Blue Springs Police Department, prompting officers to request assistance and a large police response from surrounding communities.
A police Facebook post said there were reports of reckless driving throughout the parking lot, a fire, underage drinking and disturbing others at the shopping district. As police attempted to arrest a minor for careless driving, a large crowd surrounded officers, yelling profanities and racial slurs, the post says.
Interfering with first responders, like police, is now a class B misdemeanor because of a newly signed law.
HB 225, signed into law by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe in July, established the offense of interference with a first responder. It’s also known as a Halo Law.
A person commits this offense if they have “received a verbal warning not to approach from a person that he or she knows or reasonably should know to be a first responder.” The law is violated if they come within 20 feet with the intent of:
- Impeding or interfering with the first responder’s ability to perform their legal duty
- Threatening the first responder with physical harm
- Engaging in a course of conduct aimed at a first responder which serves no real purpose
Class B misdemeanors can carry fines up to $1,000 and a maximum sentence of six months in jail. Following offenses are class A misdemeanors, which carry fines of up to $2,000 and a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
The law says it shall not impact an individual’s First Amendment rights and not restrict their ability to watch or record first responders.
