ARTICLE III. - OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND DECENCY
Part of the Code of Ordinances of Ridgeland, SC.
The text
Sec. 24-47. - Disorderly conduct.#
(a)
It is unlawful to conduct oneself in a disorderly manner with the purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof by:
(1)
Engaging in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior;
(2)
Using words which would, by their very utterance, inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace, or offensively coarse utterance, gesture or display or addresses of abusive language to any person present; or
(3)
Creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition by an act which serves no legitimate purpose of the act.
(b)
For the purpose of this section, the term "public" means affecting or likely to affect any person in a place to which the public or a substantial group has access. Among the places included are highways, transport facilities, schools, prisons, apartment houses, places of business or entertainment, governmental buildings or any neighborhood.
(Code 1995, § 9.12.010; Code 2006, § 132.01)
Sec. 24-48. - Interfering with worship.#
It is unlawful for any person to intentionally interfere with or disturb the peace and good order of any public gatherings or religious worship.
(Code 1995, § 9.12.020; Code 2006, § 132.02; Ord. of 3-16-1995)
Sec. 24-49. - Picketing and demonstrating.#
It is unlawful to picket, parade or march without a permit. To secure a permit, a person must apply during regular business hours to the chief of police. The application shall state the type of activity, the place, time and date for the activity, the number of expected participants and, as applicable, the name of the group, the permanent residence address of an officer of the organization, the business address of the group and a telephone number where an officer of the organization may be contacted. Applications must be submitted in sufficient time prior to the planned activity to allow for the procurement or necessary permits from the state department of transportation. The applicant must sign a statement that this Code and any applicable state laws will be fully complied with. Once this statement has been signed and the required permits from state agencies are on hand, the chief of police may issue a permit based on the following considerations: (1)
The number of persons to participate;
(2)
The anticipated traffic conditions at the time and date proposed for the activity;
(3)
The schedule of other similar activities for which permits may have been issued;
(4)
The adequacy of adult supervision for any minor scheduled to participate;
(5)
The availability of city personnel whose presence on duty may be required by the activity and by the necessity to protect the general public; and
(6)
The adequacy of public facilities in the location proposed for the activity to accommodate the proposed activity and the normal public use of public facilities in the proposed location.
(Code 1995, § 9.12.040; Code 2006, § 132.04; Ord. of 3-16-1995)
Sec. 24-50. - Loitering.#
(a)
Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Loitering means, for any person, while in any public place, to create or cause to be created any disturbance to the comfort and repose of any other person by or through any of the following activities: (1)
The use of vulgar, obscene, profane, sexually explicit or suggestive language;
(2)
Obstructing or interfering with the free passage of any vehicle or pedestrian in any public place;
(3)
Gambling;
(4)
Creating or causing to be created or threatening to cause any breach of the public peace;
(5)
Engaging in any other unlawful behavior to act.
Public place means any place commonly open to the members of the general public and where the members of the general public commonly resort; not necessarily a place devoted solely to the use of the public, but a place that is public rather than private, or a place visited by many persons and usually accessible to the neighboring public.
Unlawful behavior or act means any act which is contrary to, or proscribed by any law of the country, the state or the town.
(b)
Violation.
(1)
A person commits a violation of this section if he loiters, as defined above, in a public place at a time or in a manner not usual for members of the general public in such a manner as would cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm or the commission of a criminal act upon his person, or upon property in his immediate possession.
(2)
Unless flight by the individual makes it impracticable, a peace officer, prior to any arrest or citation under this section, shall afford the individual the opportunity to dispel the fear which would otherwise be warranted by requesting him to:
a.
Cease and desist the activity;
b.
Depart the public place; or
c.
Identify him and explain his presence and conduct.
(3)
No person shall be convicted of an offense under this section if the peace officer did not comply with subsection (b)(2) of this section, or if it appears at trial that the explanation given by the individual was true, and if believed by the peace officer at the time, would have dispelled the fear.
(4)
Nothing in this section shall be construed or enforced in such a manner as to abridge or restrict freedom of speech, religion or association.
(c)
Penalty. Any person convicted of violating this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in section 1-14.
(Code 1995, § 9.12.050; Code 2006, § 132.05; Ord. No. 6-00, 9-7-2000)
Sec. 24-51. - Fortunetelling.#
It is unlawful to engage in the business, trade or profession of fortunetelling, palmistry, phrenology, clairvoyance or the prediction of future events by cards or other means or to offer to tell fortunes or predict future events by palmistry, astrology, clairvoyance, cards or other means as an inducement to promote some other business, trade or profession.
(Code 1995, § 9.12.160; Code 2006, § 132.12)
Sec. 24-52. - Disturbing school.#
It is unlawful: (1)
For any person willfully making a noise or diversion that disturbs or tends to disturb the peace or good order of the school session; or
(2)
For any person to enter upon any school premises, except on business, without the permission of the principal or person in charge.
(Code 1995, § 9.12.170; Code 2006, § 132.13)
Sec. 24-53. - Spitting.#
It is unlawful for any person to spit upon any sidewalk or other public place, or upon the floor, walls or seat of any room, hall, office or other part of any hotel, boardinghouse or lodging place which is used in common by the guests or inmates thereof, or upon the floor, walls or any other part of any store, factory, theater, church or other building or room which is used by the public.
(Code 1995, § 9.12.200; Code 2006, § 132.16)
Sec. 24-54. - Disturbance at entertainments.#
It is unlawful for any person to willfully make a noise or diversion that disturbs or tends to disturb the peace or good order of a public hall or other place of amusement, entertainment or gathering.
(Code 1995, § 9.12.220; Code 2006, § 132.18; Ord. of 3-16-1995)
Sec. 24-55. - Carnivals and street shows prohibited.#
All carnival or street shows or any business of the like are forbidden to show, parade or otherwise engage in business without the written permission of the town. The permit is to specify the date, time, place, length of show, duration of appearance and all other details as shall be required by the council.
(Code 1995, § 9.12.230; Code 2006, § 132.19)