As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
PUBLIC PLACE
Any place to which the general public has access and a right
to resort for business, entertainment, or other lawful purpose, but
does not necessarily mean a place devoted solely to the uses of the
public. It shall also include the front or immediate area of any store,
shop, restaurant, tavern, or other place of business, and also public
grounds, areas, or parks.
A person shall be guilty of disorderly conduct
if, with the purpose of causing public danger, alarm, disorder, nuisance,
or if his or her conduct is likely to cause public danger, alarm,
disorder, or nuisance, he or she willfully does any of the following
acts in a public place, or in a place openly observable from a public
place:
A. Commits an act in a violent and tumultuous manner
toward another whereby that other is placed in fear of safety of his/her
life, limb or health;
B. Commits an act in a violent and tumultuous manner
toward another whereby the property of any person is placed in danger
of being destroyed or damaged;
C. Causes, provokes or engages in any fight, brawl or
riotous conduct so as to endanger the life, limb, health, or property
of another;
D. Interferes with another's pursuit of a lawful occupation
by acts of violence;
E. Resists or obstructs the performance of duties by the Glocester
Police or any other authorized official of the Town, when known to
be such an official;
F. Incites, attempts to incite, or is involved in attempting
to incite a riot;
G. Addresses abusive language or threats to any member
of the Glocester Police Department, any other authorized official
of the Town of Glocester who is engaged in the lawful performance
of his/her duties, or any other person when such words have a direct
tendency to cause acts of violence. Words merely causing displeasure,
annoyance or resentment are not prohibited;
H. Damages, befouls, or disturbs public property or the
property of another so as to create a hazardous, unhealthy, or physically
offensive condition;
I. Fails to obey a lawful order to disperse by a police
officer when known to be such an official, where one or more persons
are committing acts of disorderly conduct in the immediate vicinity,
and the public health and safety is imminently threatened;
J. Uses abusive or obscene language, or makes an obscene
gesture;
K. Uses violent and forceful behavior at any time in
or near a public place, such that there is a clear and present danger
that free movement of other persons will be arrested or restrained,
or other persons will be incapacitated in the lawful exercise of business
or amusement;
L. Disturbs the peace of others by violent, indecent,
offensive or boisterous conduct or language which was calculated to
cause anguish or injury to another;
M. Roughly crowds or pushes any person in any public
place;
N. Throws any stone, snowball, or any other missile upon
or at any person, vehicle, building, tree, sign or other public or
private property;
O. Wantonly makes a false alarm with reference to the
request of fire-fighting apparatus or cries “fire” in
any public place for the sole purpose of causing turmoil;
P. Prowls or wanders upon the private property of another,
peeks in the door or window of any inhabited building or structure
located thereon without visible or lawful business with the owner
or occupant thereof;
Q. Maliciously interrupts the speaker of any lawful assembly
or impairs the lawful rights of others to participate effectively
in such assembly or meeting when such conduct is calculated to provoke
or tend to cause turmoil or disturbance;
R. Acts in a manner which tends to cause or provoke a
disturbance near any public building wherein matters affecting the
public are being considered, deliberated, designed, or implemented,
and said conduct interferes with said public matters;
S. Frequents any public place with intent to obtain money
from other persons by illegal and fraudulent schemes, tricks, artifices
or devices;
T. Displays any deadly weapon in a public place in a
manner which is calculated to alarm or frighten other persons present;
U. Exposes his or her genitals to the view of others
under circumstances in which his/her conduct is likely to cause affront,
distress, or alarm to such other persons.
This chapter shall not be construed to suppress
the right to lawful assembly, picketing, public speaking, or other
lawful means of expressing public opinion not in contravention of
other laws.
[Amended 2-17-2005, effective 3-16-2005; 7-16-2020, effective 8-19-2020]
Violation of any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a fine or imprisonment as provided in Chapter
1, General Provisions, Article
II, Penalties.