PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - Peoria Police have a new tool to prevent incidents like a downtown shooting in late September, where police and city officials claim that a crowd interfered with police administering medical aid to someone who had been shot in the chest.

The city council Tuesday night unanimously approved an ordinance banning nuisance gatherings with violators facing potential fines and having to reimburse the city for the cost of dispatching police, fire, or other city services. If a minor is involved, their parents or guardians could be fined.

While supporting the ordinance, at-large Council Member and local attorney Mike Vespa said police must be careful not to infringe on the public’s right to assemble, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Vespa fears that the ordinance co

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