No person shall loiter or prowl in a place, at a time or in
a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals under circumstances
that warrant alarm for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity.
Among the circumstances which may be considered in determining whether
such alarm is warranted is the fact that the person takes flight upon
appearance of a police officer, refuses to identify himself or endeavors
to conceal himself or any object. Unless flight by the person or other
circumstances makes it impracticable, a police officer shall, prior
to any arrest for an offense under this section, afford the person
an opportunity to dispel any alarm which would otherwise be warranted,
by requesting him to identify himself and explain his presence and
conduct.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meaning indicated:
LOITER
To sit, stand, loaf, lounge, wander or stroll in an aimless
manner or to stop, pause or remain in an area for no obvious reason.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions,
Art. III)]
Violations of this chapter shall be subject to the penalties provided in §
1-4, Penalties.