Council OKs Ban on Residential Picketers

The Newport Beach City Council voted Tuesday night to create a buffer zone to keep picketers within 300 feet from a person's home.

City officials said there has been an increase in residential neighborhoods protests that have targeted a specific person. The new law in particular was prompted by a recent suggestion from Councilwoman Nancy Gardner, following an abortion protest outside a local doctor's home in Newport Beach.

After a short discussion, the City Council voted 6-0 to approve the picketing buffer zone.
 
"One of my concerns was neighbors. You're on a block with someone with a big mouth and all of a sudden the rest of you are suffering for something that person said," Gardner said. "It's important for our homes to be our sanctuary and, yes, we can speak out. We have many ways of making our opinions heard."

City Attorney Aaron Harp said several cities have adopted similar ordinances to protect the homes of its residents.

"This has an impact because a person can be in essence locked in their home," Harp told the council. "This gives people protection by creating a buffer zone around that home."

Three residents spoke at the meeting in reference to the picketing issue.

Resident Jim Mosher said the ordinance is "unnecessary" since the Newport Beach Police Department has enough laws on the books to keep the peace in neighborhoods.

"If we already have laws prohibiting disturbing the peace, making annoying noises and harassing people, then I am not sure I see the wisdom of giving police a new law that we cannot be sure would stand up in court," Mosher said.

Harp addressed Mosher's concerns and said "these types of ordinances have been uniformly upheld by the courts."

Residents George Schroeder and Nancy Skinner, a local activist, said they supported creating a 300-foot buffer zone to protect a person's privacy at their home.

"I think we need this kind of peace and safety at our homes," Skinner said.

What do you think of the picketing buffer zone? Tell us in the comments.

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