City Makes it Illegal to Be Annoying
City Makes it Illegal to Be Annoying Save Email Print
Posted: 11:11 PM Dec 19, 2008
 Last Updated: 5:39 PM Dec 22, 2008
 Reporter: Associated Press
23 comments
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Ticking someone off could get you a ticket in one Michigan city.
The Brighton City Council on Thursday approved an ordinance allowing police in the Livingston County community to ticket and fine anyone who is annoying in public "by word of mouth, sign or motions."
The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus of Howell reports the measure is modeled on a similar ordinance in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak.
A city attorney says there could be situations where the measure would violate freedom of speech, but that those cases will be reviewed by the city.
The ban takes effect January 2.
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Posted by: Amanda Location: Baltimore, MD on Dec 24, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I think this is the BEST law I have heard America create since the ammendments were written. This should be a federal level law. Thank you Michigan for stepping up and creating something actually worthwhile.
Posted by: amy on Dec 23, 2008 at 01:02 PM
why did we need a city council to make it illegal to be annoying{sounds like their putting it mildly]if people would read their Bibles they would see that God already made it illegal,Even going so far as telling us to be kind to one another, sounds like it was working real good until some decided not to do it,Just think of the money we could save,if we would listen to God..as tax payers,this is good news.
Posted by: barb on Dec 23, 2008 at 12:53 PM
If people would get back to respect--maybe it's the influence of t.v these worms watch,any way,Being kind o others is much more rewarding than acting like animals,and it would save taxes money, that we need for the things that really matter, do you have have a p.h.d to understand that?
Posted by: Jeff Location: Hillsdale on Dec 22, 2008 at 05:42 AM
Agreed that this is another waste of tax dollars and that the ordinance will either quickly be changed or altogether removed. I am not above the notion that people are to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner in public or private, but like it was stated earlier, define annoying. Not to mention the "motions" part of it. The area is quite ethnically diverse, what if one person's conversation with the use of hand gestures inadvertently offended a passer-by? Lame law in my opinion, money could certainly have been put to better use.
Posted by: Jen Location: Howell on Dec 22, 2008 at 01:41 AM
So how does Sara know people went to the mall today? I wonder if SARA herself went? That said....this loosely defined ordinance is another reason to avoid Brighton.
Posted by: Kris on Dec 21, 2008 at 10:23 PM
How Stupid! The person or persons who made this law, need to be ticketed! This means that probably the entire county will be ticketed at one time or another. Ticking someone off happens all the time, with someones dumb moves while driving, walking across the street.. Does Law enforcement have nothing more to do? They need to focus on CRIMES, instead of pure ignorance. Never realized that those who are truly ignorant, could be a walking violation.
Posted by: Bill Location: Formerly Howell on Dec 21, 2008 at 07:33 PM
All that money down there and they're bored enough to come up with THAT!? You guys voted in those morons. Looks like time to vote them out. Something as simple as a vote can do more than you think when counted in numbers.
Posted by: Pam Location: Jackson on Dec 21, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Does this mean the police gets a ticket for every ticket the issue. The state could fine the jackson county sheriff to raise revenue.
Posted by: Tammy Location: lansing on Dec 21, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Boy, they sure would make alot of money. But, I think there is a difference between being annoying and just being an a**. If your being an A** then yes you should get a ticket, hey it may save you from getting beat up or worse. On the other hand, just what would they consider being annoying. Coughing or laughing!!!!!? Man, anything to make a buck or lose a buck if people fight their ticket(s). Some of my neighbors are annoying with thier occasional foul mouth but I just tell them to shut up and grow up.
Posted by: DumAsME Location: Lansing on Dec 21, 2008 at 04:04 PM
If this was an ordinance in Lansing I'm sure the city could increase it's revenue at it's weekly city council meetings. To me the mayor and several council members are very annoying!
Posted by: V. Location: Munith on Dec 21, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Just another example of government infringing on the freedoms of speech and expression. Next thing you know, we'll be seeing signs up saying "INDEPENDANT THOUGHTS NOT ALLOWED!". Never mind that strange whirring noise folks, it's just George Orwell spinning in his grave.
Posted by: Scott Burgess Location: Beautiful Onondaga on Dec 21, 2008 at 12:32 PM
This idea has merit. Preserving the rights of free speech is paramount. However, as a society, we have become so self centered and obnxious, that some guidelines need to be developed and enforced. In particular, many people believe that life is as portrayed in the mass media and the celebrety status elite of the entertainment industry. Many people, young and old, seem to beleive that they can behave anyway they want in public, regardless of how intrucisve or offencsive it may be. We all must become more conscience of respect for self and for others.
Posted by: Walter Location: Jackson on Dec 20, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Sara what does your comment have to do with the story? You are another person trying to tell people what is best for them maybe you should stay home. This looks like more of the government trying to tell us what is best for the people.
Posted by: Pam Location: Jackson on Dec 20, 2008 at 07:29 PM
WHen will they start ticketing the media and politicians? They are very annoying.
Posted by: JB Location: Jackson on Dec 20, 2008 at 05:37 PM
They have nothing better to do with the tax dollars they get than to come up with stupid stuff like this. There are alot better things you can do with that money instead fo this. Plus if people can't handle something like "I'm With Stupid" then get a life it is not hurting anything. Some people just need to get a grip and stop complaining about stupid things like this.
Posted by: Greg Location: potterville on Dec 20, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Freedom of Speech...Freedom of Expression... Yeah, another waste of tax payers money that will end up the supreme court...
Posted by: Jack Location: Jackson on Dec 20, 2008 at 09:29 AM
I think the 911 operators are going to be so overloaded with people calling because someone ticked them off that important calls won't be able to get through.
Posted by: Kevin Location: Lansing on Dec 20, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Brighton will spend alot on attorney fees to defend this ordinance, and will end up removing it from the books!
Posted by: JoeyLoey Location: Lansing on Dec 20, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Be carefull Sara of Charlotte..! You are being annoying.. Your comments have nothing to do with this story.. If this were Howell we could give you a ticket..!
Posted by: Brian Location: Hilsdale on Dec 20, 2008 at 08:19 AM
This does violate freedom of speech. Annoying can not be defined. What is annoying to one individual may not be to another.
Posted by: hunter Location: charlotte on Dec 20, 2008 at 06:31 AM
The story doesn't really say much. But it looks like big government wanting more control over the people.
Posted by: Sara Location: Charlotte on Dec 20, 2008 at 03:00 AM
I think that the people that went to the mall today in the storm were just plain ignorant. You are on the roads, when you have no business being. There is nothing in the stores in the malls that you can't live without. THINK ABOUT IT PEOPLE!!!! You are taking yours, and others lives into your hands on days like this.
Posted by: Robert Location: Dewitt on Dec 19, 2008 at 11:22 PM
This is a stupid ordinance. Just because you say something and someone takes it the wrong way. I mean what if you don't intend to annoy anyone. This I think is unconstitutional.
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