Jacksonville sheriff announces agency’s first arrests for violations of Florida’s new ‘Halo Law’

Two women were arrested after the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said they violated Florida’s new “Halo Law.”

This law creates a 25-meter buffer zone; It is unlawful within this area to harass, threaten or obstruct officers or first responders in the execution of their official duties.

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The incident began outside IDEA Bassett Charter School on Tuesday when a police officer confronted 39-year-old Erika McGriff after she allegedly left her car parked at an intersection.

But the situation quickly escalated into a fight after police said McGriff began attacking the officer.

He was eventually arrested and charged with battery on a police officer, resisting arrest with violence, and driving with a suspended license.

“If you resist our officers with violence, if you punch them, if you bite them, you will be arrested,” Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters said at Friday’s news conference.

But McGriff’s arrest wasn’t the main topic of the Friday briefing.

Instead, Waters focused on the arrests of Anita Gibson, 59, and Jasmine Jefferson, 36.

A mob formed during McGriff’s arrest, and according to JSO, Gibson and Jefferson violated the “Halo Law” amid the chaos.

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“I don’t mind people videoing beyond 25 feet or saying what you want to say, because people are going to do that and you have the right to say what you want to say,” Waters said. “But if the incident reaches a level where it becomes uncomfortable for our officer, whether or not someone in the crowd is injured, then we have to draw the line.”

Waters said the ordeal affected more than the offer and the arrests.

He announced that a young student who threatened to shoot up the school as a result of the incident was also arrested on Friday.

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“These adults modeled and normalized school-age children for not only breaking the law, but also lying to the police, violently resisting the police, punching police officers, biting a police officer, harassing a police officer, and burdening a police officer. Officer Holten was just doing his job,” Waters said.

Waters noted that although other people were within 25 feet of the officer during McGriff’s arrest, they were not arrested because they did not act in an abusive manner.

A person who recorded the arrest on a cell phone was also not charged.

You can watch Sharif’s entire press conference below:

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