(A) Definitions. As used in this section:
LOITERING. Remaining idle in essentially one location, including the concept of spending time idly; to be dilatory; to linger, stay, saunter, delay or stand around; includes the colloquial expression “hanging around.”
PUBLIC PLACE. Any place to which the general public has access and a right to resort for business, entertainment and other lawful purposes. The term does not necessarily mean a place devoted solely to uses by the public. The term includes the front and immediate areas of any store, shop, restaurant, tavern or other place of business and also parks, public areas and public grounds.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter, loaf, wander, stand or remain idle either alone or in consort with others in a public place within the Village of Elwood in such a manner as to:
(1) Obstruct any public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any other public place or building by hindering or impeding or tending to hinder or impede the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles, traffic or pedestrians.
(2) Commit in or upon any public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any other public place or building any act or thing which obstructs or interferes with the free and uninterrupted use of property, or with any business lawfully conducted by anyone in or upon or facing or fronting on any such public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any other public place or building, all of which prevents the free and uninterrupted ingress, egress and regress therein, thereon and thereto.
(C) All persons shall cease and desist any acts which constitute loitering as defined in this section upon the order of a police officer or any law enforcement officer to stop causing or committing such acts and to move on or disperse. Any person who fails or refuses to cease and desist such acts immediately after the order of a police officer or other law enforcement officer is guilty of loitering.
(Ord. 637, passed 1-7-2001)