Senator Jon Courtney, Law Enforcement Officials Testify to Increase Public Safety in Maine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 27, 2007

AUGUSTA – Communities in Maine could become safer if the 123^rd Legislature approves LD 949, An Act To Amend the Laws Concerning Public Fighting. On March 23, the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee heard testimony on the proposed bill, submitted by Senator Jon Courtney, from the Senator, as well as Major Gordon Littlefield and Court Officer Skip Sheldon of the Sanford Police Department.

Current statutes permit two individuals to fight in public if they are both willing participants in the scuffle. The two fighters would face disorderly conduct charges only if their public brawling “caused an annoyance to others.”

Because the public fighting law does not go far enough to address the potential damages and injuries that surrounding businesses and community members are subjected to, Sen. Courtney has introduced this legislation in the interest of public safety. “I have submitted this bill because I believe that individuals who engage in public fighting, without any license of permission, should be held accountable for the potential damage they can cause,” he said in his testimony before the committee. “Requiring both parties of a fight be willing participants does not change the fact that their actions can be dangerous. Those participants should be justly punished.”

Sen. Courtney encouraged Major Littlefield and Officer Sheldon to testify before the committee because of their experience surrounding the public fighting issue. “I’m very happy the two officers lent their voices to support this bill,” the Senator said. “The support this legislation has received is very encouraging, and I’m confident that support will help this bill make its way through the legislative process.”

In addition to the support from law enforcement, the Senator’s bill has earned bipartisan support in the Legislature as well. Representatives Andrea Boland (D-Sanford), Robert Crosthwaite (R-Ellsworth), Brian Duprey (R-Hampden), Joan Nass (R-Acton) and John Tuttle (D-Sanford) as well as Senator Earle McCormick (R-West Gardiner) have all cosponsored Sen. Courtney’s proposal.

Sen. Courtney, of Springvale, represents District 3, which includes Alfred, Limington, Lyman, Sanford/Springvale and Waterboro. He can be reached in Augusta at 287-1505, in Springvale at 324-5467, or by e-mail at joncourtney@metrocast.net.

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