This page gives information for each town regarding the Police as it relates to free speech and preaching the Gospel using an amplifier. Unless otherwise indicated all situations are preaching using amplifier and no permit. See Dealing With Police at the bottom of this page.

Los Angeles - Hollywood
Although only here for a short time I never encountered anything from the police. 5 stars See Dealing With Police at the bottom of this page.

Oakland
I have preached in downtown Oakland over the years many times and only have had one time I was shut down using the amp. This was due to a complaint. Recently I have confirmed this "hands off" policy regarding the preaching of the Gospel in downtown Oakland. Free speech is alive and well in Oakland at least for now. 5 Stars See Dealing With Police at the bottom of this page.

Oakland City Ambassadors

Phoenix
I never had any trouble in Phoenix using the amp even while police were close by. I would leave this unrated at this time however as I only preached there less than a dozen times. Good signs though.

Portland
Portland is amp friendly for the most part. You are allowed to use an amp. The restrictions are that you cannot be heard beyond a 100 feet and you can only stay on the same corner for 45 minutes. You are free to move around. In the Pioneer Square area you cannot use an amp however, you can use one directly across the street. I had no trouble in Portland. 5 stars See Dealing With Police at the bottom of this page.

Sacramento
With the many jurisdictions because it is the State Capitol I still have never dealt with anyone except the Sacramento Police Department (city police agency). Initially here I have had a misunderstanding of the law concerning parks. It is ok to preach on the corner of the sidewalk but not on the side closest to the park, this is park property. My understanding is no amp on "K" street which has no cars but just light rail. Everywhere else I have use the amp with no problems. I have had police watch me set up and come by during my preaching with no problem. I have two complaints against me and in both cases the police allowed me to continue. In one of those cases I was told if I needed them for anything to let them know. Great city regarding the police and free speech with amplifier. 5 stars See Dealing With Police at the bottom of this page.

San Diego
The many weeks I have been there preaching the Gospel I have only one time encounter the police regarding the amp. Once again this was due to a complaint. In this case it was a building supervisor/owner. I was on the sidewalk which he didn't like but nevertheless the complaint stood because of a sound ordinance. Overall a great place to preach with an amp. 5 Stars See Dealing With Police at the bottom of this page.

San Francisco

They have a law here that allows for 10 watts or less amp without a permit, however; it is technically with the use of a bullhorn, not a small guitar amp. The police will sometimes make issue of it. Officer Dahlberg whose beat is in the Powell and Market area agrees that the amp is a better fit for preaching and singing.

Overall I have a few problems here but feel free to use an amp on most any city street. The key is not to stay too long on any one corner and be prepared to move or just use your voice. This issue in my experience has always been about the amp, not the message. **** 4 stars See Dealing With Police at the bottom of this page.

Seattle
To date I have preached in downtown Seattle at least a couple of dozen times and I never had any problem from the police about anything. I have even had a couple of officers stand across the street and listen for a few minutes. Can't say enough about the Lord's favor here. 5 stars See Dealing With Police at the bottom of this page.

Dealing With Police
A good place to start is Rom 13:1-5 you should be well familiar with this passage. This can be an exhaustive subject by itself, so I will limit the information in this section to what I do. Before I get started I have to admit that there are times that I have blown it and have not followed my own advice. Keeping that in mind I generally cooperate with the Police, first by being friendly, and not being on the defensive. I believe in obeying the civil law unless we are told not to preach Jesus Christ. At that point I believe we are to obey God rather than man like the apostles. I have found that in most, but not all, cases the Police are ok with the Gospel being preached on the street. Even if a particular officer is not a Christian they may see the value of righteousness. Within the prison and criminal justice systems, including the local police, it has been established that the Christians believe in law and order. This certainly helps our cause.

Usually the police do not interfere or try to stop what you’re doing unless they get a complaint. In most cases I have been involved with, the issue is usually over the amplification. It has never been the content of my free speech. I have never had the police say that I could not preach the Gospel. This does not mean that they are not trying to stop the message indirectly on occasion. In most cases I have found the police to be reasonable and courteous. When the police get a call on a noise complaint they do not want to be heavy handed. Noise complaints are mundane and kind of a hassle for police, yet they must respond. Do not give them reason to be agitated. It is good not to be defensive, but rather polite, answering their questions. Sometimes it is not wise to volunteer large amounts of unnecessary information about what you are doing etc. It helps to know the laws regarding free speech and amplification. In more than a few cases the police do not know the codes. By explaining the law to them in a humble manner, more often than not, you will be able to stay and continue as you were.

Many times the police will ask you to stop using the amp. Because I am able to preach without amplification I often do that instead of leaving. It irks me to no end when I am perfectly in my rights and following the law and the police are not respecting that for whatever reason. However, when this happens other preachers I know will force the issue and resort to taking legal action. I am grateful for the victories in the courts concerning free speech, especially within the Christian realm. This keeps the government honest. However, I am not called by the Lord to fight on this level. I have decided ahead of time that if asked or told to leave a certain corner I will. Even though in the USA we have due process I have decided to take the principle given in the Bible and that is; when persecuted in one city flee to another. Matt. 10:23 In these cases, it is flee to another part of the city.