[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Rock Hall 8-6-1981
by Ord. No. 81-9. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It is the purpose of this chapter to prevent loitering by individuals
or by groups, the use of vulgar language and vulgar behavior on the streets,
sidewalks, in public parks and in the residential, business, commercial and
industrial areas of the Town of Rock Hall.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Groups of one, two or more persons and/or individuals hanging around,
loafing, spending time idly, using loud or vulgar language, being unruly and
boisterous and/or obstructing entranceways to residential areas and recreation
areas.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person and/or persons to
loiter, loaf, wander, stand or remain idle alone or in consort with others
on the public sidewalks, public parks, streets, alleys and curbs. It shall
be unlawful for any person and/or groups of persons (groups, for the purpose
of this chapter, meaning one or more persons) to hang around, use loud or
vulgar language, be unruly and boisterous and/or obstruct any entranceways
to a store, homes, driveways, business places or the public streets, sidewalks,
public parks and curbs or to hinder and impede or lend to hindering and impeding
the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles, traffic or pedestrians in
the Town of Rock Hall.
[Amended 12-5-1996 by Ord. No. 96-08]
B.
Commercial/industrial premises.
[Amended 12-5-1996 by Ord. No. 96-08]
(1)
It shall be unlawful for any person and/or persons to
loiter, loaf, wander, stand or remain idle alone or in consort with others
on or in any place of business or commercial and/or industrial premises in
the Town of Rock Hall without the consent of the owner and/or operator.
(2)
It shall be unlawful for any person and/or persons to
loiter, loaf, wander, stand or remain idle alone or in consort with others,
be on or in any place of business or commercial or industrial premises after
its normal hours of operation without written consent of the owner and/or
operator.
C.
It shall be unlawful for any person and/or persons to
loiter within 150 feet of any establishment selling alcoholic beverages.
D.
Any person and/or persons who, when requested by a police
officer to leave a premises, refuses to do so shall be deemed to be in violation
of this chapter and therefore guilty of a misdemeanor.
Any person and/or persons violating any provisions of this chapter shall
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished
by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $500 for any one offense or by
imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or both fine and imprisonment.