Bellaire’s City Council has approved the adoption of an ordinance prohibiting targeted residential picketing within 300 feet of a residence. The 300 feet includes any residence, not just the residence targeted for picketing.
According to City Attorney Alan Petrov, members of the city’s police department met with him and expressed concern that the city lacked such an ordinance, unlike many other local cities.
“We are not expecting anything in particular in Bellaire,” said Petrov. “You see on news reports of people outside people’s houses – it impacts obviously not just the person being picketed, but the neighbors. Bellaire is becoming a popular place to live - we have plenty of politically active people. It is possible someone could be targeted for some reason.”
The ordinance does not prevent door-to-door activity for religious or political purposes, and does not prohibit large groups of people marching, which would require a permit.
The ordinance was passed by unanimous vote, with Councilman Phil Nauert absent.
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