(a) For the purpose of this section the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings ascribed to them.
(1) “Loitering” means remaining idle in essentially one location including the concepts of spending time idly, loafing or walking about aimlessly and including the colloquial expression “hanging around”.
(2) “Quasi-public” means any place privately owned but opened to the public generally such as shopping centers, retail stores, transportation terminals, movie theaters, office buildings, restaurants and all distinctly private places such as homes or private residences and apartment houses.
(3) “Public place” means public streets and alleyways, public restrooms, public sidewalks, public parks, public buildings and Municipal parking lots.
(4) “Surrounding area” means that area easily and immediately accessible to the person under observation.
(b) No person shall loiter in a public place in such a manner as to:
(1) Create or cause a danger of breach of the peace;
(2) Create or cause any disturbance or annoyance to the comfort and repose of any person;
(3) Obstruct the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles; and
(4) Obstruct, molest or interfere with any person lawfully in any public place.
(c) No person, after first being warned by a law enforcement officer, or where a sign or signs have been posted in accordance with this chapter, shall loiter, stand, sit or lie in or upon any public or quasi-public sidewalk, area, mall or that portion of private property utilized for public use, so as to hinder or obstruct unreasonably the free passage of pedestrians thereon; nor shall any person block or obstruct, or prevent the free access to the entrance to any building open to the public.
(d) Any adult who violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Any minor who violates this section shall be dealt with in accordance with the statutes and rules governing juvenile offenders.
(e) No parent or guardian of any child under the age of eighteen years shall allow such child to loiter as described in subsections (a), (b) and (c) hereof. Any parent or guardian convicted of permitting such loitering is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 81-135. Passed 12-30-81.)