BROOK PARK, Ohio — New legislation has passed in Brook Park, which aims to protect sports officials and referees within the city.
During a city council meeting on Tuesday evening, the legislation introduced to the council by Councilman Rich Scott passed by a vote of 5-2.
According to the "Disorderly Conduct at Sporting Events" legislation, individuals who engage in a physical confrontation with a sports official, cause harm to a sports official or create an atmosphere where an official is unable to continue their service without a stoppage in play will be subject to a misdemeanor of the third-degree to first-degree.
The legislation will "enhance the overall experience of sports officials, sports participants and other attendees by defining disorderly conduct at a sporting event to be a separate and distinct offense, subject to enhanced penalties as well."
The ordinance also noted that the National Association of Sports Officials has found that their members are frequently the subject of verbal abuse and mistreatment at events. Scott also noted that the shortage of sports officials can also be attributed to the "significant verbal abuse and other mistreatment directed at them during a sports event."
The full legislation can be viewed below:
