CHAPTER 131: PUBLIC PEACE
Section
131.01 Disorderly Conduct
131.02 Congregating in Public Places
131.03 Disturbing Place of Worship or Public Meetings
131.04 Interference with Public Officials Prohibited
131.05 Civil Emergencies
131.06 Curfew
131.99 Penalty
'131.01 DISORDERLY CONDUCT
It is unlawful for any person or persons to disturb the peace and quiet of the City or of its inhabitants by any of the following actions:
(A) Loud talking or the making of unusual noises;
(B) The crying of any alarm without good cause;
(C) Threatening any person, challenging him to fight, or menacing him with physical injury or pecuniary loss; or
(D) Accosting or approaching any person of the opposite sex unknown to the person and by word, sign, or gesture attempting to speak to or become acquainted with that person against his or her will, except in the transaction of legitimate business.
[Ord. G-12-71, passed 7-13-71]
'131.02 CONGREGATING IN PUBLIC PLACES
It is unlawful for any person to congregate or cause to be congregated a crowd of three or more persons on any public street, alley, sidewalk, parking lot, school or school grounds, building, or any other public place within the City so as to obstruct the same, hinder or annoy passers-by or occupants of adjacent premises, or interfere with the activities normally engaged in on the premises.
[Ord. G-12-71, passed 7-13-71]
'131.03 DISTURBING PLACE OF WORSHIP OR PUBLIC MEETINGS
It is unlawful for any person or persons within the City by any loud or unnecessary talking or shouting, any threatening, abusive, profane or obscene language or violent action, or by any other rude behavior, to interrupt, molest, annoy, or disturb any group of persons convened for the purpose of worship, or any meeting of persons met together for any lawful purpose.
[Ord. G-12-71, passed 7-13-71]
'131.04 INTERFERENCE WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS PROHIBITED
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to intentionally impede or interfere with, or attempt to impede or interfere with any policeman, fireman, or other City official in the performance of his duty or emergency functions.
[Ord. G-12-71, passed 7-13-71]
'131.05 CIVIL EMERGENCIES
(A) For the purpose of this section the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(1) Civil Emergency. A riot or unlawful assembly characterized by the use of actual force or violence, or any threat to use force if accompanied by immediate power to execute the force, by three or more persons acting together without authority of law, or any natural disaster or man-made calamity including flood, conflagration, cyclone, tornado, earthquake, or explosion within the corporate limits of the City resulting in the death or injury of persons or the destruction of property, to such extent that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
(2) Curfew. A prohibition against any person or persons walking, running, loitering, standing, or motoring upon any alley, street, highway, public property, or vacant premises within the corporate limits of the City during the hours in which a curfew has been imposed, except persons officially designated to duty with reference to civil emergency.
(B) Proclamation by Mayor. When in the judgment of the Mayor a civil emergency is deemed to exist, he shall forthwith proclaim in writing the existence of the civil emergency. In case of the absence of the Mayor from the City, the Chief of Police shall be authorized to act in his stead.
(C) Imposition of curfew. After proclamation of a civil emergency by the Mayor, he may order a general curfew applicable to any geographical areas of the City or to the City as a whole which he deems advisable and applicable, during those hours of the day or night which he deems necessary in the interest of the public safety and welfare.
(D) Additional regulations. After proclamation of a civil emergency, the Mayor may also in the interest of public safety and welfare, make any or all of the following orders:
(1) Order the closing of all retail liquor stores.
(2) Order the closing of all taverns.
(3) Order the closing of all private clubs or portions thereof wherein the consumption of intoxicating liquor or beer is permitted.
(4) Order the discontinuance of the sale of beer.
(5) Order the discontinuance of selling, distributing, or giving away gasoline or other liquid flammable or combustible products in any container other than a gasoline tank properly affixed to a motor vehicle.
(6) Order the closing of gasoline stations and other establishments, the chief activity of which is the sale, distribution, or dispensing of liquid flammable or combustible products.
(7) Order the discontinuance of selling, distributing, dispensing, or giving away of firearms or ammunition.
(8) Issue orders that are imminently necessary for the protection of life and property.
(E) Emergency powers. During the period of a declared state of emergency, the Mayor shall have the power to invoke any or all of the following provisions:
(1) Alcoholic beverages. No person shall consume any alcoholic beverages in a public street, a place which is publicly owned, or in any motor vehicle driven or parked thereon which is within a duly designated restricted area.
(2) Weapons. No person shall carry or possess any rock, bottle, club, brick, or weapon, who uses or intends to use the same unlawfully against the persons or property of another.
(3) Incendiary missiles. No person shall make, carry, possess, or use any type of "Molotov Cocktail," gasoline, petroleum-base fire bomb, or other incendiary missile.
(4) Restricted areas. No person shall enter any area designated by the Mayor as a restricted area unless in the performance of official duties or with written permission from the Mayor or his duly designated representative, or such person shall have a residence therein.
[Ord. G-12-71, passed 7-13-71]
'131.06 CURFEW
(A) It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 16 years to be upon the public streets, alleys, public places, public grounds, or public thoroughfares of the City during the hours from 10:00 p.m. official City time to 5:00 a.m. official City time.
(B) It shall also be unlawful for any parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care and custody of any person under the age of 16 years knowingly to permit the minor person to be upon the streets, alleys, public places, public grounds, or public thoroughfares of the City during the above-mentioned hours.
(C) The provisions of this section shall not apply when the minor person is accompanied by parent, guardian, or other adult person having care or custody of the minor, or while the minor is engaged in some necessary business.
[Am. Ord. G-12-71, passed 7-13-71]
'131.99 PENALTY
Any person violating any provision of this Chapter or any order made by the Mayor of the City in accordance with the terms of this Chapter shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.
[Ord. G-12-71, passed 7-13-71]
