Fla. Stat. 843.20
Harassment of participant of neighborhood crime watch program prohibited; penalty; definitions

(1)

It shall be a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for any person to willfully harass, threaten, or intimidate an identifiable member of a neighborhood crime watch program while such member is engaged in, or traveling to or from, an organized neighborhood crime watch program activity or a member who is participating in an ongoing criminal investigation, as designated by a law enforcement officer.

(2)

As used in this section, the term:“Harass” means to engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific person which causes substantial emotional distress in that person and serves no legitimate purpose.“Organized neighborhood crime watch program activity” means any prearranged event, meeting, or other scheduled activity, or neighborhood patrol, conducted by or at the direction of a neighborhood crime watch program or the program’s authorized designee.

(a)

“Harass” means to engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific person which causes substantial emotional distress in that person and serves no legitimate purpose.

(b)

“Organized neighborhood crime watch program activity” means any prearranged event, meeting, or other scheduled activity, or neighborhood patrol, conducted by or at the direction of a neighborhood crime watch program or the program’s authorized designee.

Source: Section 843.20 — Harassment of participant of neighborhood crime watch program prohibited; penalty; definitions, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0843.­20 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

843.01
Resisting, obstructing, or opposing by offering or doing violence to legally authorized person, police canine, or police horse 843.02
Resisting officer without violence to his or her person 843.03
Obstruction by disguised person 843.04
Refusing to assist prison officers in arresting escaped convicts 843.05
Resisting timber agent 843.06
Neglect or refusal to aid peace officers 843.08
False personation 843.09
Escape through voluntary action of officer 843.10
Escape by negligence of officer 843.11
Conveying tools into jail to aid escape 843.12
Aiding escape 843.13
Aiding escape of juvenile inmates of correctional institutions 843.14
Compounding felony 843.15
Failure of defendant on bail to appear 843.16
Unlawful to install or transport radio equipment using assigned frequency of state or law enforcement officers 843.17
Publishing name and address of law enforcement officer 843.18
Boats 843.19
Offenses against police canines, fire canines, SAR canines, or police horses 843.20
Harassment of participant of neighborhood crime watch program prohibited 843.21
Depriving crime victim of medical care 843.021
Unlawful possession of a concealed handcuff key 843.22
Traveling across county lines with intent to commit a burglary 843.23
Tampering with an electronic monitoring device 843.025
Depriving officer of means of protection or communication 843.31
Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning 843.081
Prohibited use of certain lights 843.085
Unlawful use of badges or other indicia of authority 843.165
Unauthorized transmissions to and interference with governmental and associated radio frequencies prohibited 843.167
Unlawful use of police communications 843.0855
Criminal actions under color of law or through use of simulated legal process

Current through Fall 2025

§ 843.20. Harassment of participant of neighborhood crime watch program prohibited; penalty; definitions's source at flsenate​.gov