DENNISVILLE – The Dennis Township Committee passed an ordinance that would extend a prohibition on loitering to “quasi-public” places and ban sleeping in cars and changing clothes in such places.
Ordinance 2023-09 passed without any additional public comment Tuesday, Nov. 14, after public comment was continued from the previous meeting. Ordinance 2023-09 revises Article II, Chapter 128 of the general ordinances of Dennis Township pertaining to “Good Order and Peace.” Added to the ordinances is the definition of a quasi-public place, which is, “Private or publicly owned property utilized for proprietary or business uses which invites patronage by the public or which invites public ingress and egress.” The definition of quasi-public places follows the definition of public places.
The ordinance prohibits loitering as well as obstructing people or vehicles and contains the presumption that anyone under 18 who is loitering is doing so without permission of his parents or guardian. The ordinance prohibits anyone from obstructing people or vehicles, listing various places, such as parks, streets and sidewalks, but continues by saying no person shall sleep in a public or quasi-public place. The ordinance also prohibits sleeping in any parked vehicle whether during the day or night. No one may loiter on any township property between 10 p.m. and sunrise.
The ordinance also prohibits anyone from entering private property, including any lodging place, without the permission of the owner or person in charge, for the purpose of using furniture, showers, toilets or other facilities.
Ordinance 2023-09 specifically says it will be unlawful to “revel, quarrel, brawl, disport” or behave in a noisy manner in public or quasi-public places. No one will be allowed to picnic, change clothes, dress or undress or urinate or defecate upon the premises or commit any other nuisance.
The penalty for anyone convicted of any of the above violations is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,000, or 90 days in jail, or community service not exceeding 90 days, or a combination of the three.
Contact the author, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.