![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/ambulance-1536x1024-1.webp?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIf a person is given a verbal warning to not approach and they still try and go into that no-go zone, then they could face a fine or even spend time in jail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is thankful state lawmakers passed House Bill 184, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt only causes a chilling effect to goobers that want to stir up trouble,\u201d Judd said. \u201cSo, take your goober butt outside of 25 feet and you can video.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Judd said the upcoming new law won\u2019t prevent people from recording law enforcement officers statewide, but it will be a crime getting too close after being warned.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/intense-firefighting-scene-stockcake.webp?resize=728%2C408&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\u201cI might point out that we are going to seize your cell phone as evidence because you\u2019re going to have the video on the cell phone of being up in our face,\u201d Judd said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bobby Block is the executive director of First Amendment Foundation, who supports the law\u2019s intent to protect first responders. However, he has a few concerns. One of them involves whether people will be allowed to record their own interactions with law enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy right to film. My right to broadcast that information. Could that be infringed because the individual on the scene says that they were emotionally distressed?\u201d Block said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
State lawmakers say this new law is meant to avoid people impeding, threatening, or harassing first responders. Block questions some of the law\u2019s language, mainly the part describing \u2018harassment\u2019 as causing \u201csubstantial emotional distress\u201d to a first responder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t know what \u2018substantial emotional distress is\u2019,\u201d Block said. \u201cIt creates problems and unfortunately those problems are only going to end up being resolved in a court of law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Judd said the law is plain and simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can video law enforcement officers, that\u2019s your constitutional right. But you\u2019ve got to stay out of their way while they\u2019re doing their jobs,\u201d Judd said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n