[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Copake 10-13-1983 by L.L. No. 2-1983. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Parks and recreation — See Ch. 172.
It is the purpose of this chapter to protect the public interest, welfare, health and safety within the Town of Copake by prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places within the town. The Town Board finds that possession of an open container of alcoholic beverage in a public place within the town has led to consumption of the same, resulting in public intoxication, disorderly conduct, disturbance of the public peace, littering of the public places and destruction of property. The Town Board further finds that preservation of the public welfare and prevention of conditions which lead to conduct disturbing the public peace attributable to consumption of alcoholic beverages can be accomplished by the prohibition of consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places and by restricting the possession of an open or unsealed container of alcoholic beverages under circumstances which indicate that the possessor of such open or unsealed container in a public place intends to consume the same or intends to have it consumed by another person.
The following terms used in this chapter shall have the following meanings, unless the context requires or indicates a different meaning:
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
Includes alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, ale, beer, cider and every liquid or solid containing alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, ale, beer or cider and which is capable of consumption by a human being.
[Amended 6-13-1996 by L.L. No. 1-1996]
CONTAINER
Any bottle, can, glass or other receptacle suitable for or used to hold any liquid.
PUBLIC PLACE
Any highway, street, sidewalk, park, parking area, playground, boat launch site or public beach within the town.
TOWN
The Town of Copake.
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to:
A. 
Consume any alcoholic beverage in any public place within the town.
B. 
Have in his possession an open or unsealed container of an alcoholic beverage while in any public place for the purpose of consuming such alcoholic beverage by himself or by another in any public place.
The foregoing prohibition shall not apply to the consumption of alcoholic beverages or possession for the purpose of consumption in any public place where the same is authorized by license or permit under the laws and regulations of this state or under the regulations of the town; nor shall such prohibition apply to the possession of an open or unsealed container of an alcoholic beverage solely for the purpose of transporting the same without an intent or indication to consume the same in any public place.
This chapter shall not apply to any person who is also in violation of § 1227 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York.
[Amended 7-12-2007 by L.L. No. 3-2007]
A. 
Any person, firm or corporation who is guilty of a violation of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine of not more than $250 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 15 days, or both. Each day after notice that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. In addition, a civil penalty of $100 per day may be assessed for any such violation, which civil penalty shall be recovered by the Town of Copake in a civil action.
B. 
Except as provided otherwise by law, such a violation shall not be a crime, and the penalty or punishment imposed therefor shall not be deemed for any purpose a penal or criminal penalty or punishment and shall not impose any disability upon or affect or impair the credibility as a witness, or otherwise, of any person found guilty of such an offense.
C. 
Appropriate actions and proceedings may be taken at law or in equity to prevent or remedy unlawful violations or infractions of any portion of this chapter, and these remedies shall be in addition to penalties otherwise prescribed by law.