[Amended 9-21-1982 by Ord.
No. 194-1982; 12-19-1995 by L.L.
No. 9-1995]
This amendment is designed to meet the public demand for safe and unobstructed
streets, sidewalks and other public places and to prevent large numbers of
people from gathering in places open to the public for the purpose of conducting
illegal activity. This amendment is also designed to prevent people from gathering
in restricted public places that are not open to the general public. The City
Council finds that in order to protect public safety and preserve the character
of the City's neighborhoods and quality of life for its residents, it is necessary
to adopt the following loitering ordinance. While it is understood that public
places are free to be used by the public, it is also understood that individuals
and groups shall not stand or congregate in such areas in order to conduct
illegal activity. It is also understood that restricted public places are
not open to the public at large and should be restricted to persons utilizing
the public facilities. The City Council specifically finds that the New Rochelle
train station, the New Rochelle Public Library and the New Rochelle municipal
garages are facilities that should be so restricted in order to assure the
safety and comfort of persons utilizing these public facilities. The City
Council hereby resolves that it shall be a violation of the Code of the City
of New Rochelle to loiter in a public place for the purpose of conducting
illegal activity. The Council further resolves that it shall be a violation
of the Code of the City of New Rochelle to loiter within the New Rochelle
train station, the New Rochelle Public Library and the New Rochelle municipal
garages.
A. No person shall loaf or loiter on any street or other
public place for the purpose of using illegal drugs, as defined under the
Mental Hygiene Law, drinking in public or any other offense punishable under
the penal law or the Code of the City of New Rochelle.
B. No person shall loaf or loiter within the New Rochelle
train station except patrons of the train station, taxicab company, coffee
shop or dry-cleaning establishment. Due notice of this restriction shall be
posted by the Police Department.
C. No person shall loaf or loiter within the New Rochelle
Public Library. Due notice of this restriction shall be posted by the Police
Department.
D. No person shall loaf or loiter within any New Rochelle
municipal parking garage. Due notice of this restriction shall be posted by
the Police Department.
An offense against the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable
by a fine of not more than $250 or by imprisonment for not more than 15 days,
or both.