(A) Police.
(1) It shall be the duty of the Police Department or such officers as are assigned by the Chief of Police to enforce the provisions of this traffic chapter or any rules and regulations promulgated hereunder and all of the state vehicle laws applicable to street traffic in the city.
(2) Officers of the Police Department or such officers as are assigned by the Chief of Police are hereby authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand, or signal in conformance with the provisions of this traffic code; provided, however, in the event of a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians, officers of the Police Department may direct as conditions may require notwithstanding the provisions herein.
(3) Officers of the Police Department are hereby authorized to display portable signs within certain intersections forbidding vehicle drivers to perform specified maneuvers. Said portable signs shall only be displayed at a specified intersection during times of traffic congestion when, in the opinion of the Chief of Police, such restrictions are necessary to expedite the movement of traffic through the intersection.
(4) The Chief of Police or his designee may restrict or prohibit parking or travel on any public street whenever the ordinary use of the street would become hazardous due to an emergency, special event, or unusual activity. With the exception of an emergency situation, such special restricted parking, prohibited travel shall not exceed 72 hours without authority from the Committee on Traffic and Public Safety of the City of Manchester. The Chief of Police or his designee should inform the Alderman/Aldermen of the appropriate ward(s) of his decision.
(5) It shall be the duty of the Police Department or crossing guards as are assigned and supervised by the Chief of Police or his designee to direct elementary school children in crossing streets at designated crossings and designated times deemed necessary by the Chief of Police to assist the safe traveling of children to and from school; to cooperate with school officials in enforcing school rules and regulations relating to the crossing of streets; and instructing school children in the elements of traffic safety.
(6) Officers of the Police Department or crossing guards as are assigned and supervised by the Chief of Police or his designee are hereby authorized to stop traffic to ensure the safe crossing of children.
(B) Fire. Officers of the Fire Department, when at the scene of a fire or other emergency, may direct or assist the Police in directing traffic in the immediate vicinity.
(C) Traffic.
(1) It shall be the duty of the Traffic Department to make recommendations to the Committee on Traffic and Public Safety relative to formulation of ordinances and regulations governing traffic.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Traffic Department to construct, repair, and to provide maintenance for the traffic control devices as prescribed by law and/or by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
(3) The Traffic Department shall oversee the management, operation, maintenance and other tasks pursuant to policy established by the Committee on Traffic and Public Safety.
(4) The Traffic Department may grant a temporary permit for a special circumstance, to include funerals, weddings, elections, moving of furnishings and construction, that requires disruption of parking or movement of vehicles. Such permit shall be valid for no more than 24 hours. Requests for permits for a longer period shall be directed to the Committee on Traffic and Public Safety.
(D) Highway.
(1) The Public Works Director is empowered to make regulations and the Chief of Police is empowered to enforce the regulations necessary to cover emergencies or special conditions.
(2) It shall be the responsibility of the Highway Department to establish emergency or special regulations governing snow removal.
(E) Any person working for the city in the performance of their duties may direct traffic as conditions may require.
(Ord. passed 8-6-02; Am. Ord. passed 12-19-05)