The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context
clearly indicates a different meaning:
LOITERING
Remaining idle in essentially one location and shall include the
concept of spending time idly, to be dilatory, to linger, to stay, to saunter,
to delay, to stand around, and shall also include the colloquial expression
“hanging around.”
PUBLIC PLACE
Any place to which the general public has access and a right to resort
for business, entertainment or other lawful purpose, but does not necessarily
mean a place devoted solely to the uses of the public. It shall also include
the front or immediate area of any store, shop, restaurant, tavern or other
place of business and also public grounds, areas or parks.
It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter, loaf, wander, stand or
remain idle either alone or in consort with others in a public place in such
manner so as to:
A. Obstruct any public street, public highway, public sidewalk or
any other public place or building by hindering or impeding or tending to
hinder or impede the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles, traffic or
pedestrians.
B. Commit in or upon any public street, public highway,
public sidewalk or any other public place or building any act or thing which
is an obstruction or interference to the free and uninterrupted use of property
or with any business lawfully conducted by anyone in or upon or facing or
fronting on any such public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any
other public place or building, all of which prevents the free and uninterrupted
ingress, egress and regress, therein, thereon and thereto.
When any person causes or commits any of the conditions enumerated in §
167-2 herein, a police officer or any law enforcement officer shall order that person to stop causing or committing such conditions and to move on or disperse. Any person who fails or refuses to obey such orders shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.