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10.21 - 1 CHAPTER 10.21 SAFETY ZONES AND POLICE LINES SECTION: 10.21.010: Purpose 10.21.020: Definition 10.21.030: Safety Zones and Police Lines 10.21.040: Authorized Personnel Within Safety Zones 10.21.050: Penalties 10.21.010: Purpose: It is the purpose of this Chapter to authorize the Chief of Police and Fire Chief to establish safety zones and police lines for the protection of the public and emergency personnel in case of fire, accident, public disturbance or other emergency. It is the purpose of the Chapter to authorize these officers to take reasonable steps to protect persons and property under any circumstances where there is an imminent threat of harm. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as granting them power to prohibit lawful assemblies or the exercise of fundamental rights. (Ord. 5440 Sec. 1, 2012: Ord. 3248 Sec. 1 (part), 1990) 10.21.020: Definition: “Public Nuisance” as used in this Chapter means a social gathering or party which is conducted on premises within the City and which, by reason of the conduct of those persons in attendance, results in any one or more of the following conditions or events occurring on neighboring public or private property: public drinking or drunkenness, public urination or defecation; the unlawful sale, furnishing, or consumption of intoxicating beverages; the unlawful deposit of trash or litter; the destruction of property; the generation of pedestrian or unlawful vehicular traffic, standing, or parking which obstructs the free flow of traffic or interferes with the ability to render emergency services; excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud noise which disturbs the comfort, quiet or repose of the neighborhood, including public disturbances, brawls, fights or quarrels; or conduct or condition which injures, or endangers the safety or health of the neighborhood, or results in any indecent or obscene conduct, or results in any immoral exhibition or indecent exposure by persons attempting the social gathering or party, is hereby declared to be an unlawful public nuisance. (Ord. 3248 Sec. 1 (part), 1990) 10.21.030: Safety Zones and Police Lines: When any fire, accident, explosion, parade, calamity, public disturbance, riot, public nuisance as defined by Section 10.21.020 of this code, or other occasion or event has or is occurring and causes or may cause persons to collect on the public streets, sidewalks, or other areas of the City, the Chief of Police or Fire Chief or officer acting for him may establish a safety zone, or police line as may be necessary for the purpose of affording a clearing for: The protection of persons and property; Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other personnel performing operations in accordance with their duties; The exclusion of the public from the vicinity of a fire, accident, explosion, calamity, other emergency or public disturbances or public nuisance; The passage of a parade or conduct of an assembly or demonstration; The movement of traffic. (Ord. 3248, Sec. 1 (part), 1990) ---PAGE BREAK--- 10.21 - 2 10.21.040: Authorized Personnel Within Safety Zones: Notwithstanding the foregoing, bona fide and properly identified representatives of the press and media, medical or clerical persons intending to minister to residents of the zone, emergency personnel, residents and such relatives or friends of residents who demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Chief of Police or Fire Chief or officer acting for him the necessity to cross such lines or enter into such zone, may be permitted to cross such lines or enter into such zone, and may remain in such zone so long as they will not and do not interfere with emergency personnel performing their duties. (Ord. 3248, Sec. 1 (part), 1990) 10.21.050: Penalties: Every person who shall knowingly cross a safety zone or police line without authorization, or who, lawfully being within such zone or line, shall refuse to comply with any order of any police officer or firefighter shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. (Ord. 3248, Sec. 1 (part), 1990)