§ 49.11 Police Protection

1. The Johnson County Sheriff shall determine whether and to what extent additional police or security protection is reasonably necessary for the parade or public assembly for traffic control and public safety. The Sheriff shall base this decision on the size, location, duration, time, and date of the event, the number of streets and intersections blocked, and the need to detour or preempt citizen travel and use of the public right-of-way. The speech content of the event shall not be a factor in determining the amount of police protection necessary. If possible, without disruption of ordinary police services or compromise of public safety, regularly scheduled on-duty personnel will police the event. If additional police or security protection for the parade or public assembly is deemed necessary by the Sheriff, the applicant shall be so informed. The applicant shall have the duty to secure the police or security protection deemed necessary by the Sheriff at the sole expense of the applicant.

2. Persons engaging in parades or public assemblies conducted for the primary purpose of public issue speech protected under the First Amendment are not required to pay for any police protection provided by the City.