The Village Board of the Village of Churchville makes the following
findings:
A. There have been numerous citizen complaints directed to the Mayor
and Village Board and other local officials concerning the incidence
of persons gathering in the public areas of the Village without a
legitimate reason for being there. Investigation of these complaints
has resulted in the findings that, in the places complained of, extremely
large quantities of refuse, empty beverage containers and other litter
have accumulated. In addition, it has been recognized and reported
that such illegitimate gatherings have discouraged citizens from legitimate
utilization of these areas.
B. The complaints received and the investigations show that such illegitimate
gatherings very often are participated in by very large groups of
people and are associated with noise, yelling, often of an obscene
nature, fighting and rowdiness, in addition to litter.
C. It is also found that, where this kind of illegitimate gathering
occurs, acts of vandalism have been found to occur and damage to public
and private property has been sustained. It is also found that the
protection of the health, safety and welfare of the community requires
action in the public interest to regulate such behavior.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
LOITER
To stand, lounge, congregate or remain parked in a motor
vehicle at a public place or place open to the public and to engage
in any conduct prohibited under this chapter. "Loiter" also means
to collect, gather, congregate or be a member of a group or of a crowd
of people who are gathered together in any public place or place open
to the public and to engage in any conduct prohibited under this chapter.
PLACE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Any place open to the public or any place to which the public
is invited and in, on or around any privately owned place of business,
private parking lot or private institution, including places of worship
or any place of amusement and entertainment, whether or not a charge
of admission or entry thereto is made. It includes the elevator, lobby,
hall, corridors and area open to the public of any store, office or
apartment building, as well as parking lots or other vacant private
property not owned by or under the control of the person charged with
violating this chapter or, in the case of a minor, not owned by or
under the control of his parent or guardian.
PUBLIC PLACE
Any public street, road or highway, alley, lane, sidewalk,
crosswalk or other public way or any public resort, place of amusement,
park, playground, public building or grounds appurtenant thereto,
school building or school grounds, public parking lot or any vacant
lot.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter or any regulations promulgated hereunder by the Village Board shall, upon conviction, be punishable as provided in Chapter
1, Article
II, General Penalty, of the Village Code.