Picketing, election official ordinances on the horizon

Posted 10/17/22

Resident pleads for more proactive policing RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council heard first readings of two ordinances Tuesday, Oct. 11 to do with residential picketing regulations and …

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Picketing, election official ordinances on the horizon

Posted

Resident pleads for more proactive policing

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council heard first readings of two ordinances Tuesday, Oct. 11 to do with residential picketing regulations and disorderly conduct related to election workers.

Stau noted in the council packet that they are not aware of any reported instances of targeted residential picketing within the city, but other cities have experienced it due to events, policies or judicial decisions.

Nationwide, election of- ficials have been the target of increased threats, harassments and intimidation, including in Wisconsin. The League of Wisconsin Municipalities has partnered with the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Wisconsin Towns Association to produce a public relations video that is geared toward reducing the likelihood that such behavior will occur. Again, stau is not aware of any spe – cific instances of election ovcial harassment in Riv er Falls during the past two elections.

However, city stau be lieves it’s better to have the ordinances in place and not need them, than to need them and not have them, the council packet stated.

The residential picketing ordinance would prohibit targeted residential picketing in the city. This includes marching, standing or patrolling while focused on a singe residential dwelling without the occupants’ consent. A 1988 US Supreme Court ruling (Frisby v. Schultz) ruled that govern- ments have the authority to protect unwilling listeners from unwanted speech when in the privacy of their own homes. That type of picketing is intended to intrude on a resident’s privacy and impacts the neighbors around them.

The disorderly conduct ordinance creates an added layer of protection for election ovcials in the city. “River Falls election workers have not been immune to verbal or emailed election integrity challenges, insinuations, and discourse either,” a memo to the council states.

The ordinance will hopefully provide potential and current election workers peace of mind.

The council will vote on the ordinances at a later date.

During public comment, election ovcial Patricia LaRue gave pointers on how to vote smoothly. She recommended knowing where your voting place is (because district boundary lines have changed since 2020). Unmailed absentee ballots must be dropped ou at City Hall. Same-day registration is available at the polls for eligible voters, but if you have questions, contact election of- ficials at 715-425-1688.

“I don’t think I’m overreaching or being melodramatic to say that we have military service women and men who died to ensure that each of us have the right to vote. We can repay their service by doing so,” LaRue said.

Kennedy Street

Resident and former alderperson Chris Gagne made an impassioned plea to council members to be proactive in policing the Kennedy/Griuey Street neighborhood in which he lives. As an unovcial neighborhood watchman, he would like the city to consider a partnership with neighborhood residents to form a neighborhood watch group. He said unfortunately, most of the problems come from the River Falls Housing Authority residences there.

Gagne said he approached the city about forming a neighborhood watch group, but nothing has come to fruition. He claimed the city even took down neighborhood watch signs in the Rocky Branch neighborhood.

“Where’s your public safety?” he asked. “Are you not trying to build communities or are you trying to tear down the proactive enforcement from our neighborhoods? I think it’s sick.”

He is often the one to report incidents to River Falls police because his neighbors are afraid of retaliation, Gagne said. One neighbor reported something to RFHA and had someone then try to break into their house. Other neighbors have had food products thrown at their house after complaints are made. Loud domestics, people passed out drunk, drug travcking are all common occurrences in the area, he said.

“What we need is proactive enforcement,” Gagne said. “We need cops to get out of their car and walk through the neighborhood after dark … You don’t live in that neighborhood. You don’t see it every day.”

Other business

• The council approved a resolution declaring a state of disaster stemming from the Sept. 20, 2022 hail storm that damaged public building roofs and membranes. The mayor declared a state of emergency Oct. 7.

• Nov. 1 through March 31 is odd/even winter parking.

• In-person voting is allowed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 through Nov. 4 at City Hall (222 Lewis St.) The Nov. 8 city council meeting will take place Nov. 9 due to the election.