[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Springfield 12-21-1992 (Title 8,
Ch. 8.24, of the 1986 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following words, as used in this chapter, shall, unless
the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings:
Any controlled or restricted substance or drug, the sale
of which is prohibited by the Massachusetts General Laws.
A person who, within one year previous to the date of a citation
for violation of this chapter, has, within the knowledge of the enforcing
police officer, been convicted of a crime involving the sale or purchase
of illegal drugs or a crime involving the possession of illegal drugs
with the intent to sell.
A person who, within one year previous to the date of a citation
for violation of this chapter, has, within the knowledge of the enforcing
police officer, been convicted of violating any ordinance of the City
or statute of the state defining and punishing acts of soliciting,
committing, or offering, or agreeing to commit prostitution.
Remaining idle in essentially one location, and shall include
the concepts of spending time idly, loafing or walking about aimlessly.
Any area within the City of Springfield that is City, state
or federally owned or controlled and accessible to the general public,
including, but not limited to, buildings, streets, sidewalks, bridges,
alleys, plazas, parks, driveways and parking lots.
A.
No person shall congregate, stand, loaf or loiter upon any street,
sidewalk, bridge or crossing so as to obstruct the same or to hinder
or prevent persons passing or attempting or desiring to pass thereon.
B.
No person shall congregate, stand, loaf or loiter in or in front
of any hall, lobby, doorway, passage or entrance of any public building,
theater, hotel, eating house, lodging house, office building, store,
shop, office or factory or other like building so as to obstruct the
same, hinder or prevent persons walking along or into or out of the
same or attempting or desiring to do the same.
C.
No person shall congregate, stand, loaf, loiter or remain in any
parking garage, whether publicly or privately owned, so as to interfere
with the property of others or with any person's ability to use
the services afforded by the garage, unless present there with the
intent to park or use any other services afforded by the garage.
D.
No person shall stand, loaf, loiter or remain in, or in the immediate
vicinity of, or frequent a public transportation terminal, whether
publicly or privately owned, unless present there with the intent
to use or to accompany or meet a person or persons using the public
transportation there offered or to use one or some of the accessory
convenience facilities operated at such terminal for the use of travelers.
E.
No person shall congregate, stand, loaf or loiter in or in front
of any school, college, university, or community college, university,
or community center with the purpose of annoying or molesting the
students or employees thereof or so as to hinder, obstruct, prevent
or disrupt the normal functions carried on therein or thereat, or
so as to obstruct, hinder or prevent persons passing by or into or
out of the same or attempting or desiring to do so. It shall be unlawful
for any person to loiter or remain in or about the area of a school
not having any reason or relationship, involving custody of or responsibility
for a pupil or student, or any other specific, legitimate reason for
being there, and not having written permission from anyone authorized
to grant the same.
F.
No person shall loiter or remain in a public place for the purpose
of engaging in, or soliciting another person to engage in, sexual
activity for hire. The circumstances which may be considered in determining
whether such purpose is manifested are: that such person is a known
prostitute or panderer, repeatedly beckons to, stops or attempts to
stop passersby, or engages passersby in conversation, or repeatedly
stops or attempts to stop motor vehicle operators by hailing, waving
of arms or any other bodily gestures.
G.
No person shall loiter or remain in a public place in a manner and
under circumstances _____. The circumstances which may be considered
in determining whether such purpose is manifested are: that such person
is a known drug dealer or purchaser, repeatedly beckons to, stops
or attempts to stop passersby or pedestrians, and engages or attempts
to stop motor vehicle operators by hailing, waving of arms or other
bodily gestures.
H.
No person shall loiter or remain in a vacant unoccupied building
or on any portion of vacant land upon which such vacant building is
located, unless with the permission of an authorized agent of said
property.
A.
No person shall be arrested for a violation of this chapter unless
the arresting officer, or by direct demand, first affords such person
an opportunity to cease or explain such conduct.
B.
No person shall be convicted of a violation of this chapter if it
appears at trial that the explanation tendered was true and disclosed
a lawful purpose.
C.
Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be punished
by a fine of $50. Each day on which the violation exists shall be
deemed to be a separate offense.