Town of Coventry, RI Article I Possession on School Property and Other Public Property

§ 89-1 Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE

Any liquid which either by itself or by mixture with any other liquid is or may become fit for human consumption as a drink, and which contains 0.5 of 1% or more of alcohol by weight.

INTOXICATING BEVERAGE

A beverage which contains more than 3.2% of alcohol by weight.

MALT BEVERAGE

Any beverage which is usually produced at breweries, as distinguished from distilleries.

POSSESSION

Control or ownership.

PUBLIC PLACE

Any land and buildings belonging to the Town, excluding the Town Community Center building or other Town buildings utilized for social gatherings or designated by the Town Council for community social gatherings.

SCHOOL PROPERTY

Any land and buildings under the care, custody and control of the Town School Committee.

§ 89-2 Possession prohibited.

No person shall be in possession of any alcoholic beverage, intoxicating beverage or malt beverage while on or in and about school property within the Town. No person shall be in possession of any alcoholic beverage, intoxicating beverage or malt beverage while on or in and about any public place belonging to the Town. The Council, in its sole discretion, may waive this prohibition upon request.

§ 89-3 Possession within vehicle.

A. When beverages prohibited in this article are found within any vehicle, the owner or driver of the vehicle, if present, shall be considered in possession of the beverage.

B. When beverages prohibited in this article are found within a vehicle wherein there is more than one occupant, all occupants shall be considered in possession.

§ 89-4 Violations and penalties.

Any person found violating this article shall be punishable as set forth in Chapter 1, General Provisions, § 1-2, of the Code of the Town of Coventry. Fines are to be recovered to the use of the Town.

§ 89-5 Enforcement.

The enforcement of this article shall be by the Town Police Department and violations shall be prosecuted in the same manner as any misdemeanor violation.