[Adopted 5-10-1971 by Ord. No. 1420]
Disorderly conduct and/or acts disturbing the
peace within the limits of the Township of Haverford are hereby prohibited,
and no person shall engage in such conduct or commit such acts within
the limits of the Township of Haverford.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any act, word or conduct causing or tending to cause a disturbance
of the peace and good order of the Township or causing or tending
to cause any danger, discomfort or annoyances to the inhabitants of
the Township or users of the Township thoroughfares. Such act, words
or conduct shall include but not be limited to loafing, fighting,
drunkenness, vagrancy, begging, profanity or indecent language or
acts; the making or causing to be made of any unnecessary noises or
disturbances, clamor, din or other sounds disturbing or tending to
disturb the peace and quiet of the community; the carrying on of any
business, trade, transportation, recreation or amusement in a manner,
at a time or in a place which causes any unnecessary noise or disturbance,
discomfort, danger or annoyance; the reckless or careless driving
or any other use of vehicles or animals by owners, occupants, users
or operators of the same as shall endanger the safety of or interfere
with the comfort and convenience of inhabitants of the Township or
persons using the thoroughfares of the Township. All noises or other
sounds shall be considered to be unnecessary and to constitute disorderly
conduct if they are made on Sunday or on weekdays during hours other
than the usual and customary hours for such work or activity even
though they are no louder than is customary and are the unavoidable
sounds or noises attendant upon the ordinary use and occupation of
premises or attendant upon the ordinary operation or performance of
business, trade, transportation, recreation or amusement.
Without in any manner intending to limit or
restrict the generality of the definition of and prohibition against
disorderly conduct and/or acts disturbing the peace, the following
are hereby declared to constitute disorderly conduct and/or acts disturbing
the peace:
A.
The unnecessary sounding of automobile horns, sirens,
bells, whistles or other warning devices; the operation of any motor
vehicle which makes an unnecessary or unusual noise caused by improper
or defective muffler; or the backfire or racing of such motor in or
about the operation of such motor vehicle. It is not intended hereby
to prohibit the use of such warning devices in emergencies or at such
times or in such manner as a prudent operator in the exercise of good
judgment may deem necessary.
B.
The keeping or handling of dogs or other animals under
such conditions or in such manner or with such lack of control that
by barking or other noise or activity they disturb the peace, safety
and quiet of,the immediate neighborhood or damage or disturb the property
of other persons.
C.
The operation of radios, phonographs, television sets
or other mechanical instruments or singing, shouting or playing of
musical instruments in a manner or at a time which is generally considered
to be inappropriate and which unnecessarily disturbs the peace and
quiet of the immediate neighborhood.
D.
The loading, unloading and delivery of coal or other
materials, merchandise or commercial products at a time of the day
or night which unnecessarily disturbs the peace and quiet of the immediate
neighborhood.
E.
The discharging within the Township of air rifles,
spring guns, rifles, pistols, shotguns or any other firearms of any
kind or character whatever or any other device which discharges a
projectile of any kind, except on a pistol, rifle or other target
range approved by the Police Department.
F.
Loafing, loitering or strolling in or upon any street,
alley or other public way or public place or at any public gathering
or assembly or in or around any store, shop, business or commercial
establishment or on any private property or place without lawful business.
G.
Acting in or upon any street, alley or other public
way or public place or at any public gathering or assembly or in or
around any store, shop, business or commercial establishment or on
any private- property or place in a noisy, loud, boisterous, unseemly,
lewd, lascivious or wanton manner in speech or behavior or in any
other manner so as to disturb or tend to disturb the peace and quiet
of the community, the passersby or the inhabitants of the Township.
H.
Disturbing or tending to disturb or aiding in disturbing
the peace of others by violent, tumultuous, offensive or obstreperous
conduct, nor shall any person knowingly permit such conduct upon any
premises owned or possessed by him or under his control.
I.
Wandering abroad and occupying, lodging or sleeping
in any vacant or unoccupied barn, garage, shed, shop, house or any
other building or in any automobile, truck, railroad car or other
vehicle without owning the same or without permission of the owner
or person entitled to possession of the same or sleeping in any vacant
lot during the hours of darkness and not giving a satisfactory account
of himself.
J.
Disturbing religious worship or disturbing any congregation
or assembly for religious worship or other purpose by making noises
or by nude and/or indecent behavior or profane discourse within the
place of assembly or near to the same so as to disturb the solemnity
or order of the meeting.
K.
Engaging in any fraudulent scheme, device or trick
to obtain money or any other valuable thing from others or aiding
or assisting such trick, device or scheme.
L.
Refusing or failing in a prompt, obedient manner to
obey any lawful order of any police officer.
[Amended 6-13-1988 by Ord. No. 2019; 3-12-2012 by Ord. No.
2660]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any
provision of this article shall, upon summary conviction before any
District Justice of the Peace, pay a fine not exceeding $1,000 and
costs of prosecution; and in default of one payment of the fine and
costs, the violator may be sentenced to the county jail for a term
of not more than 90 days. Each and every day in which any person,
firm or corporation shall be in violation of this article shall constitute
a separate offense.
