In the event of a state of emergency threatening or endangering the lives, safety, health and welfare of the people within the city or threatening damage to or destruction of property, the Mayor is hereby authorized and empowered to issue a public proclamation declaring to all persons the existence of such a state of emergency, and in order to more effectively protect the lives, safety and property of the city, to define and impose a curfew applicable to all persons within the jurisdiction of the city.
(1985 Code, § 6-2)