(A) The Mayor may, in times of public emergency or when existing circumstances or the state of facts present imminent and substantial danger of bodily harm to large numbers of people and/or widespread destruction of property, such as, but not limited to, natural disorders caused by an act of God, explosions, fires, tumult, diffusing explosive vapors, diffusing dangerous chemicals or liquids, civil emergency, power failures or aircraft accidents, proclaim in writing a state of emergency. Coincident with the proclamation, the Mayor shall issue notice of a special meeting of Council to be held within 12 hours of the time of the proclamation.
(B) As a part of such proclamation or by subsequent written order after such proclamation is issued, the Mayor may, in his/her discretion as he/she deems necessary to the public safety:
(1) Delineate the boundaries of any area threatened by an emergency condition and restrict or prohibit persons from entering such area except when carrying on necessary and legitimate pursuits, and control and regulate movement within and from such area;
(2) Establish a curfew within such area under regulations set by the Mayor or Council and prohibit persons from being out of doors during such curfew; and
(3) Prohibit the sale, offering for sale, dispensing, and regulate or control the transportation of firearms and other deadly weapons, ammunition, dynamite and other dangerous explosives, incendiary devices and any necessary ingredient thereof.
(C) When the danger has passed, the Mayor or Council shall forthwith make a proclamation that the emergency has ended and any proclamation, order or regulation issued pursuant to this section shall then become void.
(D) The powers conferred by this section are in addition to any other power which may be conferred by law and nothing in this section shall be construed to modify or limit such authority, powers, duties and responsibilities of any officer or public official as may be provided by law. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit suspension of the privilege to a writ of habeas corpus.
(E) Whoever violates any of the provisions of, or knowingly fails to perform any duty required by a proclamation, order or regulation issued and in effect pursuant to this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(Ord. 2788, passed 2-26-91)