(a) In this section:
(1) ABANDON means the throwing away of an icebox or refrigerator on vacant property, junk heaps, trash piles, or debris accumulations or any other act which at common law would constitute an abandonment of personal property.
(2) DANGEROUS EXPOSURE means the placing of an icebox or refrigerator not in use as an icebox or refrigerator, in a garage, barn, outbuilding, porch, yard, lot, or other portion of premises where children at play may come upon it and be attracted to it.
(b) A person commits an offense if he abandons or dangerously exposes or causes or permits to be abandoned or dangerously exposed an icebox or refrigerator, unless the latch or lock holding each door shut is dismantled or removed so that the door may be opened from within by simply pushing on it.
(c) The owner of an abandoned or dangerously exposed icebox or refrigerator and the owner or occupant of the premises where an abandonment or dangerous exposure occurs, has the duty to remove the door or dismantle or remove the latch or lock holding the door shut on the icebox or refrigerator.
(d) The abandonment or dangerous exposure of an icebox or refrigerator with its door, or doors, in normal latching or locking condition is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and a serious menace to life because of the danger of children entering such an icebox or refrigerator and becoming locked inside and suffocating, and it is the duty of any city employee upon observing an abandoned or dangerously exposed icebox or refrigerator to remove the door or to dismantle the latch or lock holding the door.
(e) A person who violates this section is guilty of an offense and, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of not more than $500 nor less than:
(1) $200 for a first conviction of any violation of this section within any 24-month period;
(2) $400 for the second conviction of the same offense within any 24-month period; and
(3) $500 for the third and subsequent convictions of the same offense within any 24-month period. (Ord. 14971; 20599)