The public property and property owned by the City of Clarksburg, West Virginia, are places of gathering and commerce, where patrons, residents and visitors conduct business, shop, sightsee, and recreate. Being in the heart of the City, these areas and establishments offer any array of services to support residents living nearby and those coming into the City to enjoy the urban core of the City, to include shopping, dining, art venues, courthouse services, and governmental services. Being adjacent to Washington Irving Middle School, these areas are also often frequented by students and parents in the process of drop-off/pick-up from the school. It is imperative that those engaging in or otherwise availing themselves of these areas be safe and protected from activities that would otherwise be detrimental to the public good. The brandishing of deadly weapons, as defined below, poses a threat to safe pedestrian congregation, especially for the elderly, disabled, vision-impaired, and small children. The Council therefore finds it necessary and in furtherance of the public peace and good order that the brandishing of deadly weapons in breach of the peace be prohibited on public property and property owned by the City of Clarksburg to protect the citizens and visitors of the City.
(Ord. 19-12. Passed 10-17-19.)