In the event of an existing or threatened state of emergency endangering the lives, safety, health and welfare of the people within the town 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 a state of emergency and, in order to more effectively protect the lives, safety and property of people within the town, to define and impose a curfew applicable to all persons within the jurisdiction of the town.
(`94 Code, § 5-2)