A. 
Discharge and possession of firearms regulated. No person, except a sheriff or other law enforcement officer in the performance of an official duty, shall fire or discharge any firearm, rifle, muzzle loader, spring gun, air gun or pneumatic pellet gun of any description within the Village of Bear Creek.
B. 
Shooting into Village limits. No person shall in the territory adjacent to the Village discharge any firearm in such manner that the discharge shall enter or fall within the Village.
C. 
Shooting ranges. This section shall not prevent the maintenance and use of duly supervised rifle or pistol ranges or shooting galleries approved by the Village Board, after an advisory recommendation from the County Sheriff, where proper safety precautions are taken.
D. 
Explosive devices. No person shall discharge or detonate any dynamite, nitroglycerin or other explosive within the Village without first obtaining a permit to do so from the County Sheriff.
E. 
Hunting prohibited. Hunting is prohibited within the corporate limits of the Village of Bear Creek without written authorization from the County Sheriff.
F. 
Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FIREARM
Any instrumentality from or with which a shot, bullet, or pellet may be discharged or expelled, regardless of whether the propelling force is provided by air, spring, or other similar mechanical device, or gunpowder.
Whoever does any of the following acts shall be subject to the general penalty as provided in § 1-4, General penalty, of this Code:
A. 
Makes any comment, request, suggestion or proposal which is obscene, lewd, lascivious or indecent.
B. 
Makes a telephone call, whether or not conversation ensues, with the intent to abuse, threaten or harass any person at the called number or numbers.
C. 
Makes or causes the telephone of another repeatedly or continuously to ring, with intent to harass any person at the called number or numbers.
D. 
Makes repeated telephone calls, during which conversation ensues, solely to harass any person at the called number or numbers.
E. 
Knowingly permits any telephone under his control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this section.
F. 
In conspiracy or concerted action with other persons, makes repeated calls or simultaneous calls solely to harass any person at the called number or numbers.
No person shall sell, expose or offer for sale, use, keep, discharge or explode any fireworks except toy pistol paper caps, sparklers and toy snakes within the limits of the Village, unless he shall be authorized by a fireworks permit as provided in Chapter 167, Fireworks, of this Code. The term "fireworks" as used in this section shall be defined as provided in § 167.10(1), Wis. Stats., and shall be deemed to include all rockets or similar missiles containing explosive fuel.
A. 
Obstructing streets. No person shall stand, sit, loaf or loiter or engage in any sport or exercise on any public street, bridge or public ground within the Village in such manner as to prevent or obstruct the free passage of pedestrian or vehicular traffic thereon or to prevent or hinder free ingress or egress to or from any place of business or amusement, church, public hall or meeting place.
B. 
Blocking sidewalk prohibited. No person shall block any sidewalk by obstructing the same so that it is impossible for a pedestrian to travel along the sidewalk without leaving the sidewalk and walking on adjacent property or on the street.
C. 
Free speech. This section shall not be interpreted as prohibiting any person from stopping on any sidewalk to talk or to make a speech, provided that such person shall not stand in such a location that it is impossible for any pedestrian to travel along the sidewalk without leaving the sidewalk and walking on adjacent property or on the street. If two or more persons are engaged in talking while stopped on a sidewalk, they shall not stand in such locations as to completely prevent any pedestrian from passing them on the sidewalk.
D. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended:
BLOCK
To interfere with unobstructed travel by any means, including but not limited to standing on the part of the walk that is fit for travel or placing any object or vehicle whatsoever on such walk.
SIDEWALK
Any sidewalk owned or maintained by the Village. The term shall not include sidewalks or walkways on private property in shopping centers, apartment complexes, office building sites or any other private property.
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 law enforcement or peace officer, refuses to identify himself or manifestly endeavors to conceal himself or any object. Unless flight by the person or other circumstances make it impracticable, a law enforcement or peace 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. No person shall be convicted of an offense under this section if the law enforcement or peace officer did not comply with the preceding sentence or if it appears at trial that the explanation given by the person was true and, if believed by the law enforcement or peace officer at the time, would have dispelled alarm.
A. 
Loud and unnecessary noise prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be made or continued any loud and unnecessary noise.
B. 
Types of loud and unnecessary noises. The following acts are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this section, but this enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive:
(1) 
Horns; signaling devices. The sounding of any horn or signaling device on any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle on any street or public place in the Village for longer than three seconds in any period of one minute or less, except as a danger warning; the creation of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound by means of any signaling device and sounding of any plainly audible device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time; the use of any signaling device except one operated by hand or electricity; the use of any horn, whistle or other device operated by engine exhaust; and the use of any signaling device when traffic is for any reason held up.
(2) 
Radios; phonographs; similar devices. The using, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated of any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in a loud and unnecessary manner. The operation of any set, instrument, phonograph, machine or device between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in a manner as to be plainly audible at the property line of the building, structure or vehicle in which it is located shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
(3) 
Loudspeakers; amplifiers for advertising. The using, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated of any radio receiving set, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound which is cast upon the public streets for the purpose of commercial advertising or attracting attention of the public to any building or structure. Announcements over loudspeakers can only be made by the announcer in person and without aid of any mechanical device.
(4) 
Animals and birds. The keeping of any animal or bird causing frequent or long continued, unnecessary noise.
(5) 
Steam whistles. The blowing of any steam whistle attached to any stationary boiler except to give notice of the time to begin or stop work or as a warning of fire or danger upon request of proper Village authorities.
(6) 
Exhausts. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine or motorboat except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
(7) 
Construction or repair of buildings. The erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration or repair of any building, as well as the operation of any pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammer, derrick, steam or electric hoist, or any other similar equipment attended by loud or unusual noise, other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays; provided, however, the Building Inspector shall have the authority, upon determining that the loss or inconvenience which would result to any party in interest would be extraordinary and of such nature as to warrant special consideration, to grant a permit for a period necessary within which time such work and operation may take place within the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
(8) 
Schools, courts, churches, hospitals. The creation of any excessive noise on any street adjacent to any school, court, church or hospital, which unreasonably interferes with the normal operation of that institution, or which disturbs or unduly annoys patients in the hospital, provided that conspicuous signs are displayed in those streets indicating a school, hospital, church or court street.
(9) 
Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
(a) 
Any vehicle of the Village while engaged in necessary public business.
(b) 
Excavations or repairs of streets or other public construction by or on behalf of the Village, county, or state at night when public welfare and convenience render it impossible to perform such work during the day.
(c) 
The reasonable use of amplifiers or loudspeakers in the course of public addresses which are noncommercial in character.
C. 
Permits for amplifying devices.
(1) 
Permit required. The use of loudspeakers or amplifying devices on the streets or in the parks of the Village is prohibited, unless the party desiring to use such loudspeaker or amplifying device first obtains a permit from the County Sheriff.
(2) 
Grounds or reasons for denial or allowance. The County Sheriff shall have the authority to revoke such permit when he believes such loudspeaker or amplifying device is becoming a nuisance because of the volume, the method in which it is being used, or the location in which it is being operated.
(3) 
Time restrictions. The County Sheriff shall not grant a permit to use a loudspeaker or amplifying device before the hour of 9:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m., nor shall a permit be granted to anyone who, in the opinion of the County Sheriff, uses said loudspeaker or amplifying device in such a manner or for such a purpose as to constitute a nuisance. Exceptions may be granted by Village Board approval.
D. 
Stationary noise limits.
(1) 
Maximum permissible sound levels.
(a) 
Noise from a stationary source shall not exceed the following standard for maximum sound pressure levels measured at the property line.
Zone
Noise Rating, Daytime
(db)
Noise Rating, Nighttime
(db)
Residential
60
50
Commercial
70
70
All other zones
75
75
(b) 
Ambient noise is the all-encompassing noise associated with a given source, usually being a composite of sounds with many sources near and far, but excluding the noise source being measured. Ambient noise is a factor, and the subject noise shall exceed the ambient noise by 5 db in any octave band to be designated excessive.
(c) 
Pure tones and impulsive noises are factors. Five noise rating numbers shall be taken from the table in Subsection D(1)(a) above if the subject noise consists primarily of pure tone or if it is impulsive in character.
(2) 
Construction noise. Construction equipment in any zone may be operated between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., provided that said equipment does not exceed a maximum sound pressure level of 80 db(a) measured at the property line of the location at which said equipment is in use.
(3) 
Noise in residential districts. In residential zones, the person in violation of this section shall be ordered to reduce the sound pressure to acceptable levels immediately by the monitoring officer.
A. 
Disorderly conduct prohibited. No person within the Village shall:
(1) 
In any public or private place engage in violent, noisy, riotous, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conduct which tends to cause or provoke an immediate disturbance of public order or tends to annoy or disturb any other person.
(2) 
Intentionally cause, provoke or engage in any fight, brawl, riot or noisy altercation other than a bona fide athletic contest.
B. 
Disorderly conduct with motor vehicle. No person shall make unnecessary and annoying noises with a motor vehicle, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, by squealing tires, excessive acceleration of the engine, or by emitting unnecessary and loud muffler noise.
C. 
Defecating or urinating in public places. It shall be unlawful for any person to defecate or urinate, outside of designed sanitary facilities, upon any sidewalk, street, alley, public parking lot, park, playground, cemetery or other public area within the Village, or upon any private property in open view of the public, or in the halls, stairways or elevators of public or commercial buildings, or to indecently expose his person.
It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to obey the direction or order of a law enforcement officer while such law enforcement officer is acting in an official capacity in carrying out his or her duties.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any truck equipped with compression brakes (jake brakes) to use said brakes within the Village limits. This includes the use of said brakes to slow the vehicle in order to meet the proper speed restrictions within the Village.
B. 
The only exception to this section would be the use of the compression brake (jake brake) in the case of an emergency.
[Amended 12-11-2023]
C. 
This section does not apply to vehicles of any municipal fire department, ambulance service, or first responders, whether or not responding to an emergency.
[Added 12-11-2023]