In a move to quash an under-reported epidemic of annoying behavior, the small town of Brighton has passed an ordinance giving police officers the power to ticket people for “annoying” behavior. The ordinance was passed unanimously by the city council, according to the Daily Press and Argus in Livingston County.
 
According to the Argus, the ordinance includes the following sections:

One of the sections reads, “It shall be unlawful for a person to engage in a course of conduct or repeatedly commit acts that alarm or seriously annoy another person and that serve no legitimate purpose.”

Another section states, “It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to insult, accost, molest or otherwise annoy, either by word of mouth, sign or motions any person in any public place.”

Two council members questioned the ordinance, although they eventually voted in favor of it.

City officials say the enforcement will be a “subjective” call for police officers, but is aimed at targeting those who are interrupting public spaces, not for residents who are annoying for annoyance sake.

The law goes into effect Jan. 2, 2009.