ARTICLE VII. - PARADES AND PROCESSIONS
Part of the Code of Ordinances of Central Falls, RI.
The text
DIVISION 1. - GENERALLY#
Sec. 32-216. - Definitions.#
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Footrace means an athletic event involving two or more persons for the purpose of competition, recreation, or for the purpose of promotional publicity.
Parade means any parade, march, ceremony, show, exhibition, pageant, footrace, or procession of any kind, or any similar display, in or upon any street, park or other public place in the city.
Parade permit means a permit as required by this article.
Public assembly means any gathering of persons on public streets or other public places for the purpose of conducting social, recreational or residential functions.
Public assembly permit means a permit as required by this article.
(Code 1973, § 23-15; Code 1994, § 34-5)
Secs. 32-217—32-240. - Reserved.#
DIVISION 2. - PERMIT#
Sec. 32-241. - Required.#
No person shall engage in, participate in, aid, form or start any parade or public assembly, unless a parade or public assembly permit shall have been obtained from the director of public safety.
(Code 1973, § 23-15; Code 1994, § 34-5)
Sec. 32-242. - Exceptions to division provisions.#
This division shall not apply to: (1)
Funeral processions;
(2)
A governmental agency acting within the scope of its functions.
(Code 1973, § 23-15; Code 1994, § 34-5)
Sec. 32-243. - Application.#
(a)
Required. A person seeking issuance of a parade or public assembly permit shall file an application with the director of public safety on forms provided by such officers.
(b)
Filing period. An application for a parade or public assembly permit shall be filed with the director of public safety not less than ten days nor more than 20 days before the date on which it is proposed to conduct the parade.
(c)
Contents. The application for a parade or public assembly permit shall set forth the following information:
(1)
The name, address and telephone number of the person seeking to conduct such parade or public assembly.
(2)
If the parade or public assembly is proposed to be conducted for, on behalf of, or by any organization, the name, address and telephone number of the headquarters of the organization, and of the authorized and responsible heads of such organization.
(3)
The name, address and telephone number of the person who will be the parade or public assembly chairman who will be responsible for its conduct.
(4)
The date when the parade or public assembly is to be conducted.
(5)
The hours when such parade or public assembly will start and terminate.
(6)
A statement as to whether the parade or public assembly will occupy all or only a portion of the width of the streets proposed to be traversed.
(7)
The location by streets of any assembly areas for such parade or public assembly.
(8)
The time at which units of the parade or public assembly will begin to assemble at any such assembly area.
(9)
The interval of space to be maintained between units of such parade.
(10)
If the parade or public assembly is designed to be held by and on behalf of or for, any person other than the applicant, the applicant for such permit shall file with the director of public safety a communication in writing from the person proposing to hold the parade or public assembly authorizing the applicant to apply for the permit on his behalf.
(d)
Late applications. The director of public safety, where good cause is shown therefor, shall have the authority to consider any application under this division which is filed less than one day before the date such parade or public assembly is proposed to be conducted.
(Code 1973, § 23-15; Code 1994, § 34-5)
Sec. 32-244. - Standards for issuance.#
The director of public safety shall issue a permit as provided for hereunder when, from a consideration of the application and from such other information as may otherwise be obtained, he finds that: (1)
The conduct of the parade or public assembly will not substantially interrupt the safe and orderly movement of other traffic contiguous to its route or location.
(2)
The conduct of the parade or public assembly will not require the diversion of so great a number of police officers of the city to properly police the line of movement and the areas contiguous thereto as to prevent normal police protection to the city.
(3)
The conduct of such parade or public assembly will not require the diversion of so great a number of ambulances as to prevent normal ambulance service to portions of the city other than that to be occupied by the proposed line of march and areas contiguous thereto.
(4)
The concentration of persons, animals and vehicles at assembly points of the parade will not unduly interfere with proper fire and police protection of, or ambulance service to, areas contiguous to such assembly areas.
(5)
The conduct of such parade or public assembly will not interfere with the movement of firefighting equipment en route to a fire.
(6)
The conduct of the parade or public assembly is not reasonably likely to cause injury to persons or property, to provoke disorderly conduct or create a disturbance.
(7)
The parade is scheduled to move from its point of origin to its point of termination expeditiously and without unreasonable delays en route.
(8)
The director of public safety, if he deems necessary, may require the applicant to designate a certain number of parade marshals who shall be responsible for conducting the parade or assembly in an orderly manner.
(Code 1973, § 23-15; Code 1994, § 34-5)
Sec. 32-245. - Notice of rejection.#
The director of public safety shall act upon the application for a parade permit within three days after its filing. If the director of public safety disapproves the application, he shall mail to the applicant within three days after the date upon which the application was filed, a notice of his action, stating the reasons for his denial of the permit.
(Code 1973, § 23-15; Code 1994, § 34-5)
Sec. 32-246. - Appeal procedure.#
Any person aggrieved shall have the right to appeal the denial of a parade or public assembly permit to the city council. The appeal shall be taken within three days after denial. The city council shall act upon the appeal at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.
(Code 1973, § 23-15; Code 1994, § 34-5)
Sec. 32-247. - Alternative permit.#
The director of public safety, in denying an application for a parade or public assembly permit, shall be empowered to authorize the conduct of a parade or public assembly on a date, at a time, or over a route different from that named by the applicant. An applicant desiring to accept an alternate permit shall, within seven days after notice of the action of the director of public safety, file a written notice of acceptance with the director of public safety. An alternate parade or public assembly permit shall conform to the requirements of, and shall have the effect of a parade or public assembly permit under this article.
(Code 1973, § 23-15; Code 1994, § 34-5)
Sec. 32-248. - Contents.#
Each parade or public assembly permit shall state the following information: (1)
Starting or beginning time.
(2)
Minimum speed, if applicable.
(3)
Maximum speed, if applicable.
(4)
Maximum interval of space to be maintained between the units of the parade or public assembly, if applicable.
(5)
The portions of the streets to be traversed or utilized.
(6)
The maximum length of the parade in miles or fractions thereof, if applicable.
(7)
Such other information as the director of public safety shall find necessary to the enforcement of this article.
(Code 1973, § 23-15; Code 1994, § 34-5)
Sec. 32-249. - Duties of permittee.#
(a)
Compliance with laws. A permittee under this article shall comply with all permit directions and conditions and with all applicable laws and ordinances.
(b)
Possession of permit. The parade or public assembly chairperson or other person heading or leading such activity shall carry the permit upon his person during the conduct of the parade or public assembly.
(Code 1973, § 23-15; Code 1994, § 34-5)
Sec. 32-250. - Revocation.#
The director of public safety shall have the authority to revoke a parade permit issued under this article upon application of the standards for issuance as set forth in this division.
(Code 1973, § 23-15; Code 1994, § 34-5)