(a) For the purposes 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 and restaurants.
(3) “Public place” shall mean any place to which the general public has access and a right to resort for business, entertainment or other lawful purpose, but does not necessarily mean a place devoted solely to the uses of the public. It shall also include the front or immediate area of any store, shop, restaurant, tavern or other place of business and also public grounds, areas or parks.
(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; or
(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 section, 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) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 840207-8. Passed 2-21-84.)