EXPLANATION: CAPITALS indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: Councilmember Curran
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Title
Public Safety Act Zone Designation
FOR the purpose of authorizing the Mayor, under certain circumstances, to declare a Public Safety Act Zone Designation and to impose certain restrictions and take certain measures to protect the public health, safety, and property.
Body
BY adding
Article 1 - Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Section(s) 18-6
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 1. Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Subtitle 18. Disaster Control and Civil Defense
§ 18-6. PUBLIC SAFETY ACT ZONE DESIGNATION .
(A) MAYOR MAY DECLARE.
THE MAYOR IS AUTHORIZED TO DECLARE A PUBLIC SAFETY ACT ZONE DESIGNATION IF THE MAYOR FINDS THAT THE CITY OR ANY PART OF IT IS SUFFERING OR IS IN IMMINENT DANGER OF SUFFERING CIVIL DISTURBANCE, DISORDER, RIOT, OR OTHER OCCURRENCE THAT WILL SERIOUSLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY ENDANGER THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND PROPERTY OF THE PUBLIC.
(B) AUTHORIZED MEASURES.
DURING A PUBLIC SAFETY ACT ZONE DESIGNATION DECLARED UNDER THIS SECTION, THE MAYOR MAY TAKE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING MEASURES THROUGHOUT THE CITY OR IN ANY AFFECTED PARTS OF THE CITY:
(1) PROHIBIT OR LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO MAY GATHER OR CONGREGATE ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAYS OR SIDEWALKS, OR IN ANY OUTDOOR PLACE, EXCEPT PERSONS WHO ARE AWAITING TRANSPORTATION, ENGAGING IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT A USUAL AND CUSTOMARY PLACE, OR PEACEABLY ENTERING OR LEAVING BUILDINGS;
(2) HALT ACCESS OR EGRESS ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS TO OR FROM THE CITY OR AFFECTED PARTS OF THE CITY;
(3) REQUIRE THE CLOSING OF TAVERNS AND BARS AND PROHIBIT THE SALE OR SERVICE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN ANY HOTEL, RESTAURANT, CLUB, OR OTHER ESTABLISHMENT; AND
(4) PROHIBIT THE SALE, CARRYING, OR POSSESSION ON THE PUBLIC STREET OR PUBLIC SIDEWALKS, OR IN ANY PUBLIC PARK OR SQUARE, OF WEAPONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FIREARMS, BOWS AND ARROWS, AIR RIFLES, KNIVES, RAZORS, OR MISSILES OF ANY KIND.
(C) TERM.
(1) A PUBLIC SAFETY ACT ZONE DESIGNATION DECLARED BY THE MAYOR SHALL EXIST FOR THE PERIOD SET FORTH IN THE PROCLAMATION, FOR A MAXIMUM OF 2 WEEKS.
(2) HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC SAFETY ACT ZONE DESIGNATION MAY BE EXTENDED FOR ADDITIONAL PERIODS OF 2 WEEKS EACH.
(D) PENALTIES.
(1) ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES A MEASURE TAKEN BY THE MAYOR UNDER THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND, ON CONVICTION, IS SUBJECT TO A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN $1,000 OR IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN 12 MONTHS OR BOTH FINE AND IMPRISONMENT.
(2) EACH DAY THAT A VIOLATION CONTINUES IS A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.
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