[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Ridley Park 4-13-1982 by Ord. No.
986A. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The term "mechanical device" shall not include any jukebox
or similar instrument operating solely for the emission of music.
Any machine, contrivance or device which, upon the insertion
of a coin, slug, token, plate, disc or key into any slot, crevice
or other opening or by the payment of any price, may be operated or
used as a game, entertainment or amusement, whether or not registering
a score and whether or not a prize is offered. It shall include but
not be limited to such devices as marble machines, pinball machines,
photoelectric shooting or target machines, electronic video games,
air hockey tables, football games and all games, operations or transactions
similar thereto under whatever name they may be designated or described.
It shall not include devices or machines which dispense merchandise
such as candy, cigarettes, etc.
Any person, firm, partnership, corporation or association
displaying or maintaining for use and operation any mechanical amusement
device or pool table or otherwise permitting the use or operation
of such device for a fee or charge.
[Amended 10-21-2003 by Ord. No. 1131]
Every natural person, copartnership, association or corporation;
and whenever used in any clause prescribing or imposing a penalty,
the term, as applied to copartnerships or associations, shall mean
the partners or members thereof, and as applied to a corporation,
the officers thereof.
Any table with cushions and/or pockets upon which games of
pool and/or billiards in any form are played upon payment of a price,
whether or not operated by the insertion of a coin, slug, token, plate,
disc or key into any slot, crevice or other opening.
The Ridley Park Chief of Police.
It shall be unlawful for any operator to display or keep or
maintain for use and operation or otherwise permit the use and operation
of any mechanical amusement device, pool table or other similar machine
without first having registered with and obtained a license from the
RPCP.
A.Â
Every operator desiring to register with and obtain a license as
required herein shall apply to the RPCP. Application forms may be
secured from said Department and shall set forth the following information:
(1)Â
The name and business address of the operator.
(2)Â
A plan of the premises, showing the location or locations where the
mechanical amusement device or pool table or similar machine or device
is to be displayed or maintained as well as the location or locations
of the supervision of the establishment. No device may be located
within 10 feet of any doorway.
(3)Â
The type, manufacturer and serial number of each mechanical amusement
device or pool table for which application is being made.
(4)Â
Such other information as the RPCP may deem necessary for the proper
administration and enforcement of this chapter.
B.Â
Upon approval of the application, the RPCP shall issue a license
for each location where a mechanical or electronic amusement device
or pool table is to be displayed or maintained and may also issue
a seal to be affixed to each mechanical or electronic device or pool
table registered and licensed under this chapter.
[Amended 10-21-2003 by Ord. No. 1131]
B.Â
No deductions or refunds of any fee shall be granted in case of a
fee payable for less than a full calendar year or in the case of any
device destroyed, stolen, sold or otherwise disposed of or transferred
after payment of the fee. Transfer of registration from one device
to another will be performed free of charge.
C.Â
In the case of the loss, defacement or destruction of any original
license or seal, the person to whom such certificate or seal was issued
shall apply to the RPCP, who will then issue a new seal or license
upon payment of a fee of $5.
A.Â
A copy of the license must be visibly posted upon the premises where
any mechanical or electronic amusement device or pool table is displayed
or maintained for use and operation, and the seal which will be provided
shall be affixed to the mechanical or electronic amusement device
or pool table for which issued in accordance with the directions of
the RPCP.
B.Â
Any premises upon which any mechanical or electronic amusement device
or pool table is displayed or maintained shall be open to examination
and inspection by duly authorized agents of the RPCP during all hours
that such premises are open to use by the public.
C.Â
No mechanical or electronic amusement device or pool table shall
be used for gambling or other illegal purposes.
D.Â
Any premises or places of business primarily or substantially devoted to the display or maintenance of mechanical or electronic amusement devices or pool tables shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 213, Zoning, relating to amusement centers. For the purposes of this subsection, any premises upon which are displayed or maintained more than three mechanical or electronic amusement devices and/or pool tables shall be considered as being substantially devoted to the display or maintenance of mechanical or electronic amusement devices or pool tables.
[Amended 10-21-2003 by Ord. No. 1131]
E.Â
Any operator granted a license shall not permit the operation of
any device by a person under the age of 18 years of age during the
regular class hours of any day in which school is in session.
F.Â
After the Ridley Park Police Department has responded to the sixth
complaint pertaining to disturbances related to the operation of such
devices at any licensed premises, the Borough Council will have the
right to review the complaints, and, if it is decided the complaints
were legitimate, it will have the right to suspend licensure and enforce
the removal of all devices from the licensed premises for the remainder
of that calendar year.
Licenses issued under this chapter expire on December 31 of
each year. Applications for renewal, accompanied by the required annual
fee, shall be submitted in the month of December and may consist of
a signed verification of the original application contents as long
as there have been no changes.
The license may be transferred to another mechanical device
or pool table, provided that the total number of machines does not
increase. No charge is required for this transfer; however, the application
must be amended.
[Amended 10-21-2003 by Ord. No. 1131]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this
chapter shall, upon summary conviction before any District Justice,
be subject to a fine not exceeding $600 and costs of prosecution,
and, in default of payment of fine and costs, such person may be imprisoned
in the county jail for not more than 30 days. Each and every day in
which any person shall be in violation of this chapter shall constitute
a separate offense.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 2-11 of the 1968
Code, which provided a fee for this chapter's first year of effect,
was repealed 10-21-2003 by Ord. No. 1131.
