Township of Northville, MI Criminal Code

Tense. Words used in the present or past tense shall be construed as including the future as well as the present or past.

Titles, headings and catch lines. The keywords used in this chapter as headings, titles or catch line sections and subsections are inserted for convenience and to facilitate the use of same, and they shall not be construed to limit or effect the meaning of any of the provisions hereof.

Gender. Words importing masculine gender shall apply to females and to firms, associations, partnerships and corporations.

Whenever any word or phrase used herein not defined but is defined in the Michigan Penal Code (MCL 750.1 et seq.), any such definition therein shall be deemed to apply to such word or phrase as used herein.

§ 67-3 Disorderly conduct.

Any person found guilty of any of the following offenses in the Township shall be deemed to be a disorderly person and shall be punished as is in this code provided:

Any person who shall make, aid, countenance or assist in making any improper noise, riot, disturbance, breach of the peace or diversion tending to a breach of the peace.

Any person who shall engage in any indecent or obscene conduct in any public place.

Any person who shall collect in bodies or crowds for any unlawful purpose or for any purpose to the annoyance or disturbance of other persons.

Any person who is idle or dissolute and goes about begging.

Any person who uses or exercises any cheating or unlawful game or play.

Any person who is found in houses of ill fame or in gambling houses.

Any person who engages in window peeping.

Any person who makes an immoral exhibition or indecent exposure of himself.

Any person who is lodging in or found at any time in motor vehicles, sheds, barns, stables or unoccupied buildings or public places not giving a good account of himself.

Any person who willfully assaults another or engages in or aids in any fight, quarrel or other disturbance.

Any person who engages in any fraudulent scheme, device or trick to obtain money or other valuable thing or who aids, abets or in any manner is concerned therein.

Any tout, roper, steerer or capper, so called, for any gambling house or house of ill fame or so acting for any gambling house or house of ill fame or so acting for any person of either sex, who shall ply or attempt to ply his calling in any public place.

Any person found loitering in or about any hotel, barroom, tavern gambling house, disorderly house, public building or public place or wandering about the streets without any known means of support, or without being able to give a satisfactory account of himself.

Any person who jostles or crowds persons in any street, alley, or public place.

Any person who shall have or carry any pistol, knife, dirk, knuckles, sling shot or other dangerous weapon concealed on his person.

Any person who solicits or accosts any person for the purpose of committing any unlawful and immoral act. (State law reference: MCL 750.167)

§ 67-4 Assemblage of noisy or riotous persons.

It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any noisy or riotous persons to assemble in any house owned, occupied or controlled by him to the annoyance or disturbance of the neighborhood and the public peace.

§ 67-5 Disturbance of religious worship.

It shall be unlawful for any person to disturb or disquiet any congregation or assembly met for religious worship by making any noise or making any profane discourse or engaging in any indecent behavior in or near the place of worship as to disturb the solemnity of the meeting.

§ 67-6 Violent acts, vulgar language and disturbance of the peace.

It shall be unlawful for any person to act in a violent, boisterous, turbulent, quarrelsome, indecent or disorderly manner, or to use profane, obscene or vulgar language, or to disturb the good order, peace and dignity of the Township, its inhabitants or other persons.

§ 67-7 Marihuana establishments. [1]

[Added 1-17-2019]

The Charter Township of' Northville ordains that pursuant to the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA), Section 6.1, marihuana establishments as defined by the MRTMA are hereby prohibited within its boundaries.

Violation of this section shall result in penalties assessed pursuant to § 1-10 of this Code. In addition, any violation of this section is a public nuisance and may be abated by injunctive or other equitable relief. The imposition of a penalty does not prevent injunctive relief or civil or quasi-judicial enforcement. In the enforcement of this section by injunctive or equitable relief, the responsible party shall be responsible for all reasonable attorney fees. (State law reference: MRTMA, MCL 333.27951 to 333.27967 and as amended.)

Editor's Note: Former § 67-7, Trespassing, was repealed 9-18-2003. See § 67-14 for other provisions regarding trespassing.

§ 67-8 Loitering in public places.

It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter on any street, sidewalk or public place. For the purpose of this section, loitering is defined as the act of standing or idling in or about any street, sidewalk or public place so as to hinder or impede or tend to hinder or impede the passage of pedestrians or vehicles.

It shall be unlawful for any person to linger, loiter, sit or stand in any public room in any hotel, office or business establishment in the Township or in the hallways or entrances of any public building or to use any public room for business or social purposes or to obstruct the entrance to any business establishment without so doing for some lawful purpose or if contrary to the expressed wish of the owner, lessee, managing agent or person in control or in charge of the building or premises. The words "public rooms" for the purpose of this section include any basement, attic, building entrance or doorway, lobby, hallway, stairway, mezzanine elevator, foyer, public rest room, sitting room or any other place used in common by the public, tenants, occupants, guests or customers and situated in a hotel, office building, public building or business establishment in the Township.

§ 67-9 Spitting and urinating.

No person shall spit or urinate upon any other person or upon any public place, sidewalk or parking area or upon the floor or interior of any public conveyance or upon the floor or walls of any theater, hall, assembly room, church, school or public building or in any area open to the view of the public.

§ 67-10 Malicious mischief.

Malicious destruction of property, houses, building or real property of another. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and maliciously destroy or injure any house or other building of another or to paint, inscribe, write or scrape messages, words, numbers, symbols or any type of picture upon the building of another without the express consent of the owner or to willfully and maliciously destroy or injure any appurtenance to such house or building thereof, including lawns, shrubs, trees, pools, gardens and mail receptacles, if the damage resulting from such damage or injury shall not exceed the sum of $100.

Malicious destruction of personal property. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and maliciously destroy or injure the personal property of another by any means.

Destroying and injuring of signs, bills and notices. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully tear down, destroy or, in any manner whatsoever, deface any signs, bills or notices on any private land within the Township or on any lots or premises of another; provided, however, that such signs, bills or notices are not in the violation of any provision of the Township Code and were placed by the owner or lessee or by their consent.

Destruction of tombs and memorials. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully destroy, mutilate, deface, injure or remove any tomb, monument, gravestone or other structure before mentioned or of any enclosure for the burial of the dead or to willfully destroy, mutilate, remove, cut, break or injure any tree, shrub or plant placed or being within any such enclosure.

Malicious annoyance by writing. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly send or deliver or to make for the purpose of being delivered or sent or to part with possession of any letter, postal card or writing containing any obscene language with or without a name subscribed thereto or signed with a fictitious name or with any letter, mark or other designation with the intent thereby to cause annoyance, shock or threaten such person or with a view or intent to extort or gain any money or property of any description belonging to another.

Malicious destruction of public property. It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township to maliciously destroy, injure, damage, mar or deface any building, monument, sign or structure, fence, tree, shrub, plant, park or public property of any kind which is owned, controlled or managed by the state, County, Township, school district or by any other unit or agency of government whose operating budget is raised in whole or in part by public taxation or to commit any act of vandalism on or in any such property.

Malicious injury of fences or gates of another. It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township to maliciously break down, injure, mar or deface any fence or gate belonging to or enclosing lands not his own.

Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a maximum fine of $500 and/or a maximum imprisonment of 93 days.

[Added 9-18-2003]

§ 67-11 Removal of vegetation.

It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township to wrongfully take and carry away from any place within the Township any soil, grass vegetation, ground cover, fruit tree, ornamental tree, shade tree, ornamental shrub or any plant, vine, bush or vegetable tree growing, standing or being with intent to deprive the owner thereof or without right and with wrongful intent to detach from the ground or injure any fruit tree, ornamental tree, shade tree, ornamental scrub or any plant, vine, bush, vegetable or garden produce.

§ 67-12 Vandalism in state or public recreation areas and property; penalties.

It is unlawful to destroy, damage, deface or remove any state or publicly owned property in any state or public park or recreational area.

It shall be unlawful for any person to reoccupy, use or remain on park or public property after the posted closing hours or to enter a park or public property if posted or fenced. It shall further be unlawful for any person within the Township to drink intoxicating beverages or to bring intoxicating beverages on public or park property where unauthorized to do so by law.

Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

In addition to the penalties provided in this section for violating its provisions, any person convicted of an act of vandalism shall reimburse the state or public agency for up to three times the amount of the damage as determined by the court.

In every case of conviction for the offense, the court before whom such conviction is obtained shall enter judgment in favor of the state or public agency and against the defendant for liquidated damages in the sum as provided in Subsection D. The state or public agency shall, with the assistance of the prosecuting attorney, collect the award by execution or otherwise. If two or more defendants are convicted of the vandalism, the judgment for damages shall be entered against them jointly. If the defendant is a minor, the judgment shall be entered against his or her parents.

Upon collection, the sums shall be credited to the general fund of the public agency involved and shall be used for repairs and improvements to the parks. For proceedings relative to state law, see MCL 324.74119.

§ 67-13 Disorderly conduct on and around school property.

Unauthorized persons are not to enter or trespass on school property. Any person who is not a regularly enrolled student or parent or guardian thereof or a school official, teacher or other public or school employee shall enter or trespass upon or loiter in or upon any public private or parochial school building or school property in the Township for any reason whatsoever, unless such person has received written permission from the principal or other person designated by the principal to be in or upon or to remain in or upon such public or parochial school building or school property; provided, however, that such written permission need not be secured by persons engaging in or attending a school or recreation board authorized activity or by persons using school playground or playground equipment after school hours or when school is not in session, unless such entry or use shall have been otherwise prohibited by a rule or regulation of the school board, school principal or other person, board or committee with the authority to prohibit such use or entry.

Disturbing schools. No person shall willfully or maliciously make or assist in making any noise, disturbance or improper diversion by which the peace, quietude or good order of any public, private or parochial school is disturbed.

Duty of person creating disturbance to leave premises. Any person, whether lawfully or unlawfully in or upon any public, private or parochial school building or school property, who is found to be creating a disturbance in or upon any such school building or property shall leave immediately when so directed by the principal or by any other person designated by the principal.

Extortion. No person shall by violence, threat of violence or other form of coercion force or attempt to force any public, private parochial school student or other person to give or to lend any money or other things of value to any person at any time.

Unauthorized borrowing of money or thing of value from students in the school or traveling to or from school. No person shall borrow or attempt to borrow any money or thing of value from any student in or upon any public, private or parochial school building or school property in the Township or during any time when such student is engaging in, going to or returning from any regularly scheduled session or activity of any such school without first obtaining the written approval of the principal of such school or other person designated by the principal to issue such written approval; provided, however, that this subsection shall not apply to college students who borrow money or things of value from other college students or adults.

Destruction of school property. No person shall damage, destroy or deface any public private or parochial school building or the grounds, outbuildings, fences, trees or other appurtenances or fixtures belonging thereto.

Definitions. For the purposes of this section.

SCHOOL

Any pre-elementary (grades K-6), secondary (grades 7-12) school, any college or combination thereof.

PRINCIPAL

Any principal of any elementary or secondary school or the chief administrative officer of any elementary or secondary school or college.

§ 67-14 Trespass upon lands or premises of another.

[Amended 9-18-2003]

No person shall willfully enter upon, destroy, injure, deface, or in any manner interfere with or hinder the use of the lands or premises of another, including parks, public buildings, or public property, without lawful authority after having been forbidden to do so by the owner or occupant, agent or servant of the owner or occupant if the property is posted or fenced, nor shall any person being upon the land or premises of another, upon being notified to depart therefrom by the owner or occupant, the agent or servant of either, who without lawful authority, neglect or refuse to depart therefrom.

§ 67-15 Malicious use of telephones or electronic devices.

[Amended 6-16-2011]

It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township to maliciously use a telephone, telephone service, cable service or any electronic device with intent to terrorize, frighten, intimidate, threaten, harass, molest, annoy or disturb the peace of any other person as hereinafter provided:

Threatening physical harm or damage to any person or property of another in the course of a telephone conversation or by use of an electronic device.

Falsely and deliberately reporting by telephone or telegraph message, telephone service or electronic device that any person has been injured, has suddenly taken ill, has suffered death or has been victim of a crime or the victim of an accident.

Deliberately refusing or failing to disengage a connection between a telephone and another telephone or, once connection is made, not to carry on any conversation.

Deliberately refusing or failing to disengage a connection between a telephone and other equipment provided for the transmission of messages by telephone, thereby interfering with any communication service.

Using any vulgar, indecent, obscene or offensive language or suggesting any lewd or lascivious act in the course of telephone conversation or by the use of any electronic device.

An electronic device shall include but not be limited to a computer, telephone, cellular phone, facsimile machine, satellite phone, text messaging device, e-mail, paging device, voice mail, answering machine or any device used for communication by any means.

This section prohibits the aforementioned conduct whenever such communication is commenced or received within the Township.

§ 67-16 Opening fire and emergency exits.

It shall be unlawful for any person to open or cause to be opened any door or either or both of a set of double doors when a sign ("Fire and Emergency Exit Only") is posted on said door or doors or in close proximity thereto.

§ 67-17 Throwing objects at vehicles.

No person shall throw or drop any object at or in the path of any vehicle which is traveling, parked or standing in any public place within the Township.

§ 67-18 Throwing snowballs, stones or wood.

No person shall in any public place within the Township throw or hurl at or towards any building, window, public or private streetlamp or at or towards any person, animal or thing any ball of snow mass of snow packed together, piece of ice, stone, piece or block of wood or any solid substance whatsoever.

§ 67-19 Noxious substances.

No person shall knowingly deposit on the land or in a building or upon a vehicle of another without the consent of the owner or in any public place any stink bomb, tear gas or other device, irritant or offensive smelling substance with the intent to interfere with another's use of the land, building or vehicle, nor shall any person possess a noxious substance as hereinbefore defined or manufacturer, send or transport any noxious substance within the Township.[1]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 90, Hazardous Waste Cleanup.

§ 67-20 Nude swimming.

No person shall swim or bathe in the nude in any public place or in any place within view of the public.

§ 67-21 False alarms to police, firemen and ambulances.

It shall be unlawful for any person, by telephone or otherwise, to summon the Department of Public Safety, the Fire Department or any public or private ambulance to go to any address where the service called for is not needed.[1]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 49, Alarm Systems.

§ 67-22 Interference with police.

[Amended 9-18-2003]

It shall be unlawful for any person to resist lawful arrest or interfere, either directly or indirectly, with an officer making an arrest or to refuse to assist an officer upon being commanded by said officer to give assistance or to refuse to disperse upon the command of an officer or to obstruct, resist, hinder or oppose any officer in the discharge or apparent discharge of his duties, or to knowingly and willfully give false information to an officer in the discharge or apparent discharge of his duties.[1]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 32, Public Safety, Department of.

§ 67-23 Obstructing and disobeying firemen in line of duty.

It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township to knowingly and willfully hinder, obstruct or interfere with any fireman in the performance of his duties or who shall, while in the vicinity of any fire, willfully disobey and/or disregard any reasonable order, rule or regulation of the officer commanding any Fire Department at such fire.

§ 67-24 (Reserved) [1]

Editor's Note: Former § 67-24, Suspicious persons, as amended, was repealed 9-18-2003.

§ 67-25 Larceny.

[Amended 9-18-2003]

It shall be unlawful for any person to commit the offense of larceny, by stealing, of the property of another, any money, goods, or chattels or any bank note, bank bill, bond, promissory note, due bill, bill of exchange or other bill, draft, order or certificate or any book of accounts for or concerning money or goods due or to become due or to be delivered or any deed or writing containing a conveyance of land, or any other valuable contract in force or any receipt, release or defeasance of any writ, process or public record, if the property stolen shall be of the value of less than $200.

Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of three times the value of the property stolen, not to exceed $500, and/or a maximum imprisonment of 93 days.

§ 67-26 Purchasing, receiving or concealing stolen property; presumptions.

[Amended 9-18-2003]

It shall be unlawful for any person to buy, receive or aid in the concealment of any stolen, embezzled or converted property, if the property purchased, received or concealed shall be of the value less than $200. Any person being a dealer in or collector of any merchandise or personal property or the agent, employee or representative of a dealer or collector who fails to make reasonable inquiry that the person selling or delivering any stolen, embezzled or converted property to him has a legal right to do so or who buys or receives any such property which has a registration, serial or other identifying number altered or obliterated on any external surface thereof shall be presumed to have bought or received such property knowing it to have been stolen, embezzled or converted; provided, however, that this presumption may be rebutted by proof.

Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of three times the value of the property purchased, received or concealed, not to exceed $500, and/or a maximum imprisonment of 93 days.

§ 67-27 Checks without sufficient funds.

It shall be unlawful for any person with intent to defraud or make or draw or utter or deliver any check, draft or order for the payment or money, to apply on account or otherwise, upon any bank or other depository, knowing at the time of such making, drawing, uttering or delivering that the maker or drawer has not sufficient funds in or credit with such bank or order upon presentation.

As against the maker or drawer thereof, the making, drawing, uttering or delivering of a check, draft or order, payment of which is refused by the drawee when presented in the usual course of business, shall be prima facie evidence of intent to defraud and of knowledge of insufficient funds in or credit with such bank or other depository, provided that such maker or drawer shall not have paid the drawee thereof the amount due thereon, together with all costs and protest fees, within five days after receiving notice that such check, draft or order has not been paid by the drawee.

Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a maximum fine of $500 and/or a maximum imprisonment of 93 days.

[Added 9-18-2003]

§ 67-28 Drawing check upon bank without any bank account.

[Amended 9-18-2003]

It shall be unlawful for any person, with the intent to defraud to make or draw or utter any check, draft or order for the payment of money to apply on an account or otherwise upon any bank or other depository who, at the time or making, drawing, uttering or delivering such check, draft of order has no account in or credit with such bank or other depository for the payment of such check, draft of order upon presentation. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a maximum fine of $500 and/or a maximum imprisonment of 93 days.

§ 67-29 Gambling and gambling devices.

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any common gambling house or gaming room or to permit on any premises owned, occupied or controlled by him any apparatus or device used for gaming or gambling or to use such apparatus or device or to assist any other person to use same for gaming or gambling purposes. It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his possession any policy or pool slips, tickets, checks or any paper which is marked additionally with any kind of notation indicating any form of gambling, and the possession of such writing or device shall constitute, prima facie, evidence of intention to use same for gambling.

§ 67-30 Gaming prohibited.

No person or his agent or employee shall, directly or indirectly, take, receive or accept from any person any money or valuable thing with the agreement, understanding or allegation that any money or valuable thing will be paid or delivered to any person where such payment or delivery is alleged to be or will be contingent upon the result of any race, contest or game or upon the happening of any race, contest or game or upon the happening of any event not known by the parties to be certain.

§ 67-31 Assault and battery; threatening language.

[Amended 9-18-2003;2-16-2017]

It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township to attempt or offer with force and violence to do a corporate hurt to another or to assault and/or batter any other person or to cause, engage in or provoke any disturbance or fight or brawl or to direct threatening language or fighting words toward and person in any public or private place. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be subjected to a maximum fine of $500 and/or a maximum imprisonment of 93 days.

An individual who assaults or assaults and batters his or her spouse or former spouse, an individual with whom he or she has or has had a dating relationship, an individual with whom he or she has had a child in common, or a resident or former resident of his or her household is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500, or both.

§ 67-32 Fighting.

No person in the Township shall fight another person except in boxing exhibitions duly authorized and licensed under law.

§ 67-33 Air guns, sling shots or pellet guns.

Use or possession by minors is prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 years to use or have in his possession, unless accompanied by his parent or guardian or other authorized person, any air gun, sling shot or pellet gun. Any police officer shall have the authority and it shall be his duty to confiscate such air gun, sling shot or pellet gun found in the possession of any such person.

Duty of parents and guardians. It shall be unlawful for the parents or guardian of any such person in his charge or custody to knowingly permit any such minor to use or have in his possession, when not properly accompanied, an air gun, sling shot or pellet gun.

Sales to minor prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person or his agents or his employees to sell, offer for sale, give away or distribute an air gun, sling shot or pellet gun to any person under the age of 18 years.

§ 67-34 Firearms, longarms and dangerous weapons.

[Amended 5-18-2017]

Definitions. As used in this section:

AMMUNITION

Any projectile or other device designed to be expelled by any firearm, excluding nonexplosive projectiles or other devices over six inches in length.

DANGEROUS WEAPON

Any firearm, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto or knife having a blade over three inches in length or any sharp-edged or pointed instrument or club or bludgeon or other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument carried with intent to use same unlawfully against the person of another.

FIREARM

Any device or part of a device, by whatever name known, which is designed to or may be readily converted to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosive expansion of gas or air or escape of gas or air, excluding, however:

Any device used exclusively for the firing of stud cartridges, explosive rivets or similar industrial ammunition.

Any device which expels a projectile by the action of a spring.

Any device used exclusively for signaling or safety and required or recommended by the United States Coast Guard, the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Federal Aviation Agency or the appropriate state agencies governing marine, air or highway safety.

LONGARM

Any rifle, shotgun or firearm over 30 inches in overall length.

Exceptions. This section shall not apply to:

Members of the armed forces or the National Guard and other employees of the federal government and the states and their political subdivisions who are required to carry firearms and longarms as part of their official duties and who are engaged in the performance of their official duties.

Hunters during the hunting season designated by the laws of the State of Michigan with valid hunting licenses and while in an area where hunting is permitted; however, at all other times and in all other places, such persons must have their firearms and longarms unloaded and enclosed in a case.

Persons while at a firearms or longarms showing or display recognized by the Township; however, at all other times and in all other places, such person must have his firearms or longarms unloaded and enclosed in a case.

Persons whose firearms or longarms are unloaded and enclosed in a case.

Firearm dealers licensed in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Firearms Act of 1938 or applicable state or local law who keep such firearms solely for purposes of display and sales and not for personal use.

Prohibition to carry firearms or dangerous weapons. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon on his person or within or upon any vehicle, except as specifically provided for within this chapter, concealed or otherwise in or upon the public streets, alleys, public shopping centers or places of business frequented by the public or public parks or on property of any school or college, whether public, private or parochial, or locations of religious worship open to the public or any other public place in the Township, unless the bearer possesses a duly authorized unexpired Michigan license to carry a concealed weapon. It shall also be unlawful for any person to carry a machine gun or sawed-off shotgun or to have a silencer or any instrument, attachment or appliance for causing the firing of any firearm to be silent or intended to lessen or muffle the noise of the firing of any firearm, except as is otherwise permitted by law, or to have a switchblade knife, bomb, blackjack, metallic knuckles, sand gloves, sandbag, sand club, slingshot, billy club or metallic bars designed for use as a club in his possession. This subsection shall not apply to the extent open carry of a firearm is permitted under the laws of the State of Michigan.

Prohibition to carry longarms. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a longarm, whether cased or uncased, on the public streets, alleys, public shopping centers, places of business frequented by the public, parks or on property of any school, college, whether public, private or parochial, locations of religious worship open to the public, or any other public place in the Township except under the provisions of this chapter or to the extent open carry of a firearm is permitted under the laws of the State of Michigan.

Unloaded longarms may be transported from a place of purchase to the residence of the purchaser if enclosed in a carton, container, or closed gun case or wrapped completely in commercial wrapping paper securely closed by tape or string while being so transported.

Unloaded longarms may be transported by motor vehicle to and from hunting and firearms practice or target shooting but must be fully enclosed into a closed carton, container or gun case or carried in the trunk of the vehicle.

Unloaded longarms may be carried by persons 17 years of age or older on foot to and from a regulated gun range, when the firearm is fully enclosed in a closed carton, container or gun case. Persons so involved shall proceed to and from the gun range without delay by avoiding loitering on the public streets and all other public places within the Township.

Aiming firearm or longarm. It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township, without just cause, to intentionally, without malice, point or aim any firearm or longarm at or toward any other person.

Discharging firearm or longarm. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm or other instrument producing a like effect and noise within the Township, except in the lawful defense of his person or property or as otherwise permitted by law. A person may utilize a firearm for the protection of his or her livestock from a reasonable threat of harm as long as the firing of the weapon is in a downward trajectory and not in a manner that may cause damage to any property or injury to any person.

Injury by discharge of firearm or longarm. It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township to maim or injure any other person by the discharge of any firearm or longarm unintentionally, without malice, at any such person.

Possession or control of firearm while intoxicated. It shall be unlawful for any person within the Township, while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or controlled substance, to carry, have in possession or control, use in any manner or discharge any firearm or longarm.

A violation of this section shall result in the forfeiture of any weapon used contrary to this section.

§ 67-35 Nonsupport, abandonment or neglect of spouse and minor children.

No person of sufficient ability shall refuse or neglect to support or actually abandon his or her spouse and/or minor child or children.

No parent, guardian or other persons having the care or charge of a minor child or children shall abuse or neglect, permit, allow or encourage any child to commit any criminal act or to become delinquent as defined by the Probate Code of this state nor shall such person fail to send to school a child or children of school age during all regular school days.

Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ABUSED

Harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare which occurs through nonaccidental, physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or maltreatment.

CHILD

A person under 18 years of age.

NEGLECT

Harm to a child's health or welfare by a person responsible for the child's health or welfare which occurs through negligent treatment, including the failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter or medical care.

§ 67-36 Concealing runaway juveniles.

No person shall knowingly and willfully aid or abet a child under the age of 17 years to violate an order of the Probate Court or knowingly and willfully conceal or harbor juvenile runaways who have taken flight from the custody of the court, their parents or legal guardian.

§ 67-37 Curfew.

Minors under 12 years of age. No person under 12 years of age shall loiter, idle or congregate in or on any public street, highway, alley or park between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless said person is accompanied by a parent or guardian or some adult delegated by the parent or guardian to accompany the child.

Minors under 17 years of age. No person under the age of 17 years of age. No person under the age of 17 years shall loiter, idle or congregate in or on any public street, highway, alley or park between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m., except where the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian or some adult over the age of 21 years delegated by the parent or guardian to accompany the minor child or where the minor is upon an errand or other legitimate business directed by his parent or guardian.

Aiding and abetting prohibited. No person of the age of 17 years or over shall assist, aid, abet, allow, permit or encourage any person under the age of 17 years to violate the provisions of this section.

§ 67-38 Possession or transportation of alcoholic liquor in motor vehicles by underage persons.

No person under the age of 21 shall knowingly possess or transport in a motor vehicle any alcoholic liquor unless said person is employed by a licensee under state Law and is transporting or having the alcoholic liquor in a motor vehicle under the person's control during regular working hours and in the course of the person's employment. The motor vehicle which is used in the violation of this section shall be impounded until claimed in person by the owner of said vehicle and may be further impounded following conviction for a period of not more than 30 days.[1]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 104, Liquor, Art. I, Host Liquor Regulations.

§ 67-39 Misrepresenting age to obtain alcoholic liquor.

No person under the age of 21 years shall by documentary evidence falsely represent himself to be 21 years of age or over for the purpose of purchasing or attempting to purchase any alcoholic liquor nor shall any person under the age of 21 years give such false information regarding his age to any person selling alcoholic liquor for the purpose of securing a sale thereof to himself or any other person under the age of 21 years.

No person shall furnish false documentary evidence to any person under 21 years of age to be used by any such person for the purpose of obtaining alcoholic beverages.

Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a maximum fine of $500 and/or a maximum imprisonment of 93 days.

[Added 9-18-2003]

§ 67-40 Illegal acts involving motor vehicles.

No person shall intentionally and without authority from the owner start or cause to be started the motor of any motor vehicle or maliciously shift or change the starting device or gears of a standing motor vehicle to a position other than that in which it was left by the owner or driver of said motor vehicle or intentionally cut, mark, scratch or damage the chassis, running gear, body, sides, top, covering or upholstery of any motor vehicle that is the property of another or intentionally cut, mark, mash, destroy or damage such motor vehicle or any of the accessories, equipment, appurtenances or attachments thereof or any spare or extra parts thereon being or thereto attached without the permission of the owner thereof or intentionally release the brake upon any standing motor vehicle with intent to injure said machine or cause the same to be removed without the consent of the owner, provided that this section shall not apply in case of moving or starting of motor vehicles by the Department of Public Safety members in case of emergencies in the vicinity of a fire.[1]

Editor's Note: Original Section 42.420, Hitchhiking, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 10-17-2002.

§ 67-41 Burning combustible accumulations.

No person shall burn or collect leaves, rubbish, paper, pasteboard, boxes, store sweepings, chips, dry goods or boxes in the streets of the Township for the purpose of burning the same.

§ 67-42 Fireworks.

[Amended 6-15-2017; 3-25-2021]

Definitions. This section references the definitions found in Act 256 of 2011, the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act.[1]

ARTICLES PYROTECHNIC

Pyrotechnic devices for professional use that are similar to consumer fireworks in chemical composition and construction but not intended for consumer use, that meet the weight limits for consumer fireworks but are not labeled as such, and that are classified as UN0431 or UN0432 under 49 CFR 172.101.

CONSUMER FIREWORKS

Fireworks devices that are designed to produce visible effects by combustion, that are required to comply with the construction, chemical composition, and labeling regulations promulgated by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission under 16 CFR 1500 and 1507, and that are listed in APA Standard 87-1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, or 3.5. Consumer fireworks does not include low-impact fireworks.

DISPLAY FIREWORKS

Large fireworks devices that are explosive materials intended for use in fireworks displays and designed to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration, or detonation, as provided in 27 CFR 555.11, 49 CFR 172, and APA Standard 87-1, 4.1.

LOW-IMPACT FIREWORKS

Ground and handheld sparkling devices as that phrase is defined under APA Standard 87-1, 3.1, 3.1.1.1 to 3.1.1.8, and 3.5.

MINOR

An individual that is less than 18 years of age.

NOVELTIES

That term as defined under APA Standard 87-1, 3.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, and 3.2.5 and all of the following:

Toy plastic or paper caps for toy pistols in sheets, strips, rolls, or individual caps containing not more than .25 of a grain of explosive content per cap, in packages labeled to indicate the maximum explosive content per cap.

Toy pistols, toy cannons, toy canes, toy trick noisemakers, and toy guns in which toy caps as described in the Act, that are constructed so that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for the explosion, and that are not designed to break apart or be separated so as to form a missile by the explosion.

Flitter sparklers in paper tubes not exceeding 1/8 inch in diameter.

Toy snakes not containing mercury, if packed in cardboard boxes with not more than 12 pieces per box for retail sale and if the manufacturer's name and the quantity contained in each box are printed on the box; and toy smoke devices.

Editor's Note: See MCLA § 28.451 et seq.

Consumer fireworks (1.4g). Consumer fireworks are prohibited and shall not be ignited, discharged or used. Exception: Unless specifically permitted by the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, Act 256 of 2011, as amended. The Michigan Fireworks Safety Act restricts a local unit of government from regulating the use of consumer fireworks on specific dates and times.

(Reserved)

(Reserved)

Consumer fireworks shall not be ignited, discharged, or used on public, school, church, or the private property of another person without the express written permission from the person or entity legally in possession and control of the property.

Consumer fireworks shall not be ignited, discharged or used by a person under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

A minor shall not possess, use, discharge or ignite any consumer fireworks.

Display fireworks (1.3g). Display fireworks shall be conducted in accordance with PA 256.[2] To conduct a fireworks display in Northville Township, the applicant must complete the Bureau of Fire Services (BFS) form BFS-417, application for fireworks other than consumer or low-impact fireworks, and must be submitted to the Township Clerk a minimum of 60 days prior to the event. A fire official may review the application and investigate the site to make a recommendation to the Board regarding the issuance of a permit. Applications must be submitted in accordance with § 79-2 and include the following:

Display fireworks applications require an application fee. Fees may increase depending on weather, venue, number of attendees, traffic, etc. The fee schedule is set by the Board of Trustees. Applications must include the following:

(a)

Provide proof of a valid federal explosives license/permit as issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

(b)

Provide proof of insurance for an amount not less than required by the Northville Township Board of Trustees.

(c)

Listing of the Charter Township of Northville as an additional insured on the insurance policy.

(d)

Submission of a scaled site drawing, including the shoot site and distances to any structures, power lines, parking areas, or spectator areas in compliance with NFPA 1123.

(e)

The Fire Department shall conduct a site inspection and make a recommendation to the Township Board.

(f)

Once the applicant has met all of the above requirements, the Northville Township Board of Trustees will approve or deny the permit application.

[2]

Editor's Note: See the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, MCLA § 28.451 et seq.

Sky lanterns or other similar unmanned free-floating devices. Sky lanterns or other similar unmanned free-floating devices are not classified as fireworks and therefore are not regulated by the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act.[3] These devices require an open flame to propel the device and have an uncontrolled and unpredictable flight path. In the interest of public safety, these devices are prohibited at all times.

[3]

Editor's Note: See MCLA § 28.451 et seq.

§ 67-43 Transportation and storage of fireworks. [1]

[Added 6-15-2017]

The transportation and storage of fireworks within the Charter Township of Northville shall be in accordance with Act 256.[2]

§ 67-44 Possession or use of tobacco, vapor products or alternative nicotine products by minors. [1]

Editor's Note: Former § 67-43, Permit for use of fireworks; application; purpose of use; age limitation, was repealed 6-15-2017.

[2]

Editor's Note: See MCLA § 28.451 et seq.

[Added 5-16-2019]

Definitions. As used in this section, the following definitions shall apply:

CHEWING TOBACCO

Loose tobacco or a flat, compressed cake of tobacco which is inserted into the mouth to be chewed or sucked.

TOBACCO SNUFF

Shredded, powdered or pulverized tobacco which may be inhaled through the nostrils, chewed or placed against the gums.

VAPOR PRODUCT or ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS

A noncombustible product containing nicotine or not that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit, or other electronic, chemical, or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to produce vapor from nicotine or not in a solution or other form. "Vapor product" includes an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device and a vapor cartridge or other container of nicotine in a solution or other form than is intended to be used with or in an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device. "Vapor product" does not include a product regulated as a drug or device by the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") under Subchapter V of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 351 to 360fff-7.

Possession or use in public place prohibited. A person under 18 years of age shall not possess or smoke cigarettes or cigars, or possess or chew, suck, or inhale chewing tobacco or tobacco snuff, or possess or use tobacco in any other form, or possess or smoke vapor products or alternative nicotine products on a public highway, street, alley, park, or other lands used for public purposes, or in a public place of business or amusement.

Penalty. A person who violates Subsection B of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine for each offense and/or jail of up to 30 days and costs. If the court determines it is appropriate, eligible juveniles may be referred to a diversion program. Pursuant to a probation order, the court may require a person who violates Subsection B of this section to participate in a health promotion and risk reduction assessment program, if available. A probationer who is ordered to participate in a health promotion and risk reduction assessment program under this section is responsible for the cost of participating in the program. In addition, a person who violates this section is subject to the following:

For the first violation, the court may order the person to do one of the following:

(a)

Perform not more than 16 hours of community service.

(b)

Participate in a health promotion and risk reduction program, as described in this subsection.

For a second violation, in addition to participation in a health promotion risk reduction program, the court may order the person to perform not more than 32 hours of community service.

For a third or subsequent violation, in addition to participation in a health promotion and risk reduction program, the court may order the person to perform not more than 48 hours of community service.

(State law reference: Similar provisions, MCL 722.642.)

Editor's Note: Former § 67-44, Intrastate transportation of fireworks, was repealed 6-15-2017.

§ 67-45 (Reserved) [1]

Editor's Note: Former § 67-45, Storage of fireworks by wholesalers, dealers and jobbers, was repealed 6-15-2017.

§ 67-46 Abandoned refrigerators.

It shall be unlawful for any person to leave outside of any building or dwelling or in a place accessible to children any abandoned, unattended or discarded ice box, refrigerator or any other container of any kind which has an airtight door or lock which may not be released for opening from the inside of said ice box, refrigerator or container without first removing the said snap-lock or doors from said ice box, refrigerator or container.

§ 67-47 Possession and use of narcotics and dangerous substances.

It is unlawful for any person to use or knowingly or intentionally to possess lysergic acid diethlamide, peyote, mescaline, dimethyltryptamine, psicolyn or marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.) or such other substances as defined in Schedules 1-5 of Public Act 368 of 1978, as amended (MCL 333.7336), of the State of Michigan, unless the substance was obtained directly from or pursuant to a valid prescription or order of practitioner ("practitioner" being defined as in Subdivisions (a) and (b) of MCL 333.7109, as amended) while acting in the course of his professional practice or except as otherwise authorized by this section.

First offenders. When any person who has not previously been convicted as set forth herein or under any statute of the United States or state law or municipal ordinance relating to possession or use of the substances as defined herein pleads guilty to or is found guilty of violating this section, the court, without entering a judgment of guilt and with the consent of the accused person, may defer further proceedings and place the accused person on probation upon certain terms and conditions, including therein such requirement that the accused person attend courses of instruction or rehabilitation on the medical, psychological and social effects of the misuse of drugs and/or the substances defined herein. Upon violation of a term of condition, the court may enter an adjudication of guilt and proceed as the court determines. Upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions, the court shall discharge the person and dismiss the proceeding against him. Discharge and dismissal under this section shall be without adjudication of guilt and is not a conviction for the purposes of disqualifications or disabilities imposed by law upon the conviction of a crime. There may be only one discharge and dismissal under this subsection with respect to any person. The Department of Public Safety shall retain a nonpublic record of an arrest and discharge or dismissal under this subsection. This record shall be furnished to any court or police agency upon request for the purpose of showing that a defendant in a criminal action involving possession or use of the substances as defined above has already once availed himself of the provisions of this subsection.

Narcotic paraphernalia. It shall be unlawful for any person to have, possess, sell, offer to sell, dispense or give away any pipe, device or contrivance adapted for the use of smoking or inhaling marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.), hashish or opium; provided, however, that such pipe, device or contrivance has been used for the purpose of smoking or inhaling marijuana, hashish or opium.

Hypodermic syringes, needles, etc. It shall be unlawful for any person to have, possess, sell, offer to sell, dispense or give away any hypodermic syringe, needle or any other instrument or implement for the illegal use of narcotic or dangerous or hallucinatory drugs as defined by state law, by subcutaneous injection or intracutaneous injection or any other manner or method of introduction and which is possessed, sold, offered, dispensed or given away for that purpose.

Loitering about places where drugs, etc., are illegally stored, kept or used. It shall be unlawful for any person, knowing that the substances, devices and/or other instruments enumerated and prescribed within this section are being illegally sold, dispensed, furnished, given away, stored kept or used, to loiter about, frequent or be present in such building, apartment, automobile, beat or place of any description wherein such illegal activity is being carried on, conducted or operated or wherein such illegal substances, devices and/or instruments prescribed herein are being illegally kept or stored. (State law reference: MCL 333.7401 et seq.)

§ 67-48 Refusal to submit to fingerprinting.

No person who is required to have his fingerprints taken under MCL 28.243 1. shall refuse to allow or resist the taking of his fingerprints.

§ 67-49 Impersonation of police officer.

It shall be unlawful for any person not duly appointed and sworn as a police officer for the Township to impersonate such officer or to wear, carry, display or have in his possession a badge, identification card, business card(s) or designated dress or insignia of such police officer.[1]

Editor's Note: See also Ch. 32, Public Safety, Department of, Art. II, Police Reserve Officers, § 32-10.

§ 67-50 Security guard service.

No person firm or security guard service shall wear or cause to be worn any uniform or part of any uniform, badge, hat or insignia that resembles or conveys an image of being a police officer or reserve police officer of the Township without first obtaining written permission from the Director of Public Safety.

§ 67-51 Rights to property used in illegal activities.

No person shall have any property right in or to any money, personal property or paraphernalia whatsoever found by the court to have been used in connection with the operation or carrying on of an illegal activity and such property may be declared forfeiture.

§ 67-52 Discharge of firearms, bow and arrow and crossbows. [1]

[Amended 5-18-2017]

The use or discharge of any and all firearms, bow and arrow or crossbow within the Township is hereby prohibited.

Nothing herein contained shall prevent the use or discharge of any firearms in the following circumstances:

By any person or persons properly acting in lawful self-defense; or

By or at the direction of any police, military or governmental authority duly established under the laws of the Township, State of Michigan or the United States; or

By law enforcement officers in the discharge of their duties: or

By an established and lawfully permitted educational program, camp or school program or activity properly supervised with an application for a permit submitted to the Northville Township Police Department, which will only be allowed at the place, time and manner as may be approved; or

Military functions, such as parades and funerals firing blank charges; or

(6)

By an authorized shooting or practice range for the exclusive use of law enforcement officers of the Township, State of Michigan or United States; or

(7)

As permitted in § 67-34F of the Criminal Code.

A violation of this section shall result in the forfeiture of any weapon used contrary to this section.

Editor's Note: See also § 67-34 of this chapter.

§ 67-53 False alarm of fire or need for police or ambulance service. [1]

It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly or willfully:

Communicate in any way at any gathering in any public place that a fire exists when in fact a fire does not exist or to aid or abet in any such false communication.

Ring any bell or operate any mechanical apparatus, electrical apparatus or combination thereof or permit or cause the same to be operated or activated for the purpose of communicating that a fire exists when in fact a fire does not exist or to aid or abet in any such false communication.

It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly and willfully summon by telephone or otherwise the Department of Public Safety or any public or private ambulance to any person or property address where the service called for is not needed or to aid or abet in such act of communication.

Editor's Note: See Ch. 49, Alarm Systems.

§ 67-54 State law misdemeanor violations.

[Amended 9-18-2003]

Every act prohibited by state law as a misdemeanor is hereby prohibited, and whoever violates the provisions of this section within the Township shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by the same penalty provided by state law, except that the penalty shall, in no case, exceed a fine of $500 or imprisonment for 93 days, or both.

§ 67-55 Penalties.

Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the penalties specified for a violation of the Township Code.[1]