[Ord. 1410, 12/11/1978, § 1]
Disorderly conduct within the meaning of this Part shall be
and is hereby defined as any act, work or conduct causing or tending
to cause a disturbance of the peace and good order of the Borough,
or causing or tending to cause any danger, discomfort or annoyance
to the inhabitants of the Borough and/or users of the Borough thoroughfares,
and shall include loafing, begging, profanity, and the carrying on
of any business, trade, transportation, recreation or amusement at
a time, in a place or in a manner which causes danger and annoyance
to the inhabitants of the Borough, and all such disturbances and acts
are hereby prohibited. Except in the cases of emergency, no person
shall carry on any activity at a time or in a manner which causes
unnecessary annoyance or disturbs the peace and quiet of the immediate
neighborhood.
[Ord. 1410, 12/11/1978, § 1; as amended by Ord.
1735, 4/12/1993]
Without in any manner intending to limit or restrict the generality
of the above definition of, and prohibition against, disorderly conduct,
the following are hereby declared to constitute disorderly conduct:
A. The keeping or handling of dogs or other animals, chickens or other
fowl or birds under such conditions, or lack or control, or in such
a manner that by barking, crowing or otherwise, they disturb the peace,
safety and quiet of the immediate neighborhood.
B. The operation of sound amplification equipment or audible electronic
instruments or devices, singing, shouting or playing of musical instruments
in a manner and at a time which is generally considered to be inappropriate
and which unnecessarily disturbs the peace and quiet of the immediate
neighborhood.
C. The loading, unloading and delivery of materials, merchandise or
commercial products at a time of the day or night which unnecessarily
disturbs the peace and quiet of the immediate neighborhood.
D. The discharging in the Borough of Pottstown of air guns, spring guns,
rifles or firearms of any kind or character whatsoever, or any other
device that discharges a projectile of any kind.
E. Malicious loitering or prowling during daytime around a dwelling
house or any other place used wholly or in part for living or dwelling
purposes, belonging to or occupied by another.
[Ord. 1410, 12/11/1978; as added by Ord. 1780, 11/14/1994;
and amended by Ord. 1791, 1/9/1995]
Council of the Borough of Pottstown has determined that the
use of loud sound amplification systems in motor vehicles is a safety
hazard because operators of motor vehicles may be distracted thereby
or may not hear emergency vehicles or warning signals or other traffic
sounds. In addition, the use of loud amplification systems in motor
vehicles is a nuisance annoying residents and others in the vicinity
thereof. Therefore, no person operating, occupying or otherwise in
physical possession or control of a motor vehicle on a street, highway,
alley, parking lot or driveway shall operate or permit the operation
of any sound amplification system in the vehicle so that the sound
is audible at a distance of 25 feet or more from the location of the
vehicle:
A. Definitions.
(1) SOUND AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM — Any radio, tape player, compact
disc player, loud speaker or other electronic device used for the
amplification of sound.
(2) AUDIBLE — Any sound including bass reverberations whether or
not words are discernible.
B. This Section shall not apply to the following sound amplification
systems:
(1) A system operated to request medical or vehicular assistance or to
warn of a hazardous road condition.
(2) A system in an emergency or public safety vehicle.
(3) A system in a vehicle owned and operated by the Borough of Pottstown
or a gas, electric, communications or refuse company, where the sound
amplification system is being used in connection with official business.
(4) A system used for the purpose of giving instructions, directions,
talks, addresses, lectures or transmitting music to any person or
assembly of persons in compliance with ordinances of the Borough of
Pottstown.
(5) A system used in authorized public activities, such as parades, fireworks,
sports events, musical productions and other activities which have
prior approval of the Borough of Pottstown.
(6) A vehicle theft alarm system.
[Ord. 1410, 12/11/1978, § 1; as amended by Ord.
1735, 4/12/1993]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a
fine of not more than $600 plus costs and, in default of payment of
said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days.
Each day that a violation of this Part continues shall constitute
a separate offense.