Newly released police body-camera footage shows McKenzie telling officers she was worried Blue’s posts might encourage other people to target her. “These persons themselves may not hurt me, but you’re inciting,” McKenzie said.

The women had been friends for years before their relationship deteriorated, according to the account of the case. The footage also shows McKenzie making another police report about Blue in the days before the protective-order hearing.

Blue planned to speak during public comment at a Sept. 21 City Council meeting but was served with the temporary order by the police chief at the entrance and did not address the council. McKenzie told officers she expected the order to become a full protective order lasting a year. She acknowledged that such an order would keep Blue away from her and prevent her from attending city events involving McKenzie or speaking at council meetings.

The judge dismissed the order, saying insults and criticism were not enough to justify it. The judge said a protective order should address concerns about physical safety, not prevent someone from calling McKenzie a name, damaging her reputation or raising a fuss at a meeting.

Blue’s daughter, Novella Tascoe, told the council after the dismissal that she viewed the decision as vindication for her mother, who was out of the country. Tascoe said protective orders are for people in genuine danger and that using one to silence someone is unacceptable, particularly when the person seeking it is a public official.

The case highlights the boundary between a public official’s safety concerns and residents’ ability to criticize elected leaders and participate in local government. The available account does not detail the specific social media posts or describe any physical threat made by Blue.