Title 9 - Public Peace, Morals and Welfare

 

Chapters:

            9.40.    Offenses Against Public Peace Open Container

            9.42     Harassment of a Police Dog

            9.52     Offenses Against Property – Billposting

            9.62     Consumer Protection – Solicitors 

            9.68     Offenses By Or Against Minors  - Curfew

            9.78     Weapons - Fireworks and Bows

 

Chapter 9.40  Offenses Against Public Peace - Open Container

Sections: 

            9.40.010          General Provisions.

            9.40.020          Definitions.

            9.40.030          Public Drinking or Public Display or Exhibition of Beer or Liquor.

            9.40.040          Application.

            9.40.050          Penalties.

 

            9.40.010  General Provisions.  An ordinance prohibiting public drinking of beer or liquor; prohibiting public display or exhibition of beer or liquor containers, or of beer, or of liquor in certain public places and in all vehicles in the City of Dillon; prohibiting public display or exhibition of beer or liquor in all vehicles in the City of Dillon; defining the words liquor, beer, public places, and public display or exhibition; describing penalties for the violation of this ordinance; repealing all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, and declaring an emergency.

 

            9.40.020  Definitions.  The following words and phrases used in this ordinance shall be defined as follows:

            A.        “Liquor” shall mean any alcoholic spirituous, vinous, fermented malt or other liquor which contains more than one percent (1%) of alcohol by weight.

            B.        “Beer” shall mean any beverage obtained by alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or decoction of barley, malt, hops, or any similar products, containing not more than four percent (4%) of alcohol by weight.

            C.        “Public Places” means all vehicles, streets and alleys, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, public recreational areas, and all places of business not licensed for the on premises consumption of liquor or beer in the City of Dillon.  “Public places” does not include premises licensed for the on premises sales of liquor or beer at retail by the Montana Liquor Control Board whether such license be temporary or permanent.

            D.        “Public display or exhibition of beer or liquor” shall mean and include the carrying and exhibiting of open cans or bottles of beer or liquor or the carrying and exhibition of glasses or other types of containers for beer or liquor, to, in, on, or within any vehicles or upon or in public places within the City of Dillon, but does not include carrying or transporting such beer or liquor from retail liquor or beer establishments licensed for the sale of liquor or beer at retail by the Montana Liquor Control Board when such carrying or transporting of beer or liquor occurs in sacks, cases, boxes, cartons, or other similar containers with unbroken seals or when no display or exhibition is made.

            E.         “Public Drinking” includes the drinking or consuming of beer or liquor in, on, within, or upon any vehicle or any public place in the City of Dillon, Montana.

            F.         “Vehicle” means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway.

 

            9.40.030  Public Drinking or Public Display or Exhibition of Beer or Liquor as defined herein is hereby prohibited, and it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in public drinking, public display or exhibition of beer or liquor within the City of Dillon, Montana.

 

            9.40.040  Application.  No person shall possess any open container or “go cups” of an alcoholic beverage in public places within the City of Dillon, Montana, without a prior permit issued by the Chief of Police.  Permits shall only be granted for the area of the City referred to as the “Central Business District” as defined on the “Official Zoning Map, Dillon, Montana.”  All organizations requesting a permit will be required to deposit $250 with the city to insure the cleanup of the public area used for the activity which will be inspected by the Director of Operations after the activity.  The deposit or a portion thereof will be returned in the sole discretion of the Director of Operations.  Applications for these permits must be made at least fifteen (15) days before the issuance of the permit.

 

            9.40.050  Penalties.  Any person convicted of a violation of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and be fined not less than ten (10) dollars or more than twenty-five (25) dollars or serve two (2) days in jail, or be subject to both a fine and a jail sentence, in the discretion of the court.

 

Chapter 9.42 Harassment of a Police Dog

Sections:

            9.42.010          Police Dog Harassment.

            9.42.030          Definition.

            9.42.040          Penalty.

 

            9.42.010  Police Dog Harassment.  A person commits the offense of Harassing a Police Dog if the person purposely or knowingly annoys, teases, torments or otherwise harasses a police dog while it is confined in a vehicle that is being used in the performance of the duties of a Police Officer or authorized representative of a Criminal Justice Agency.

 

            9.42.030  Definition.  For the purpose of this ordinance, a Police dog is defined as any dog that is specifically trained for Law Enforcement work; including, but not limited to, detection by scent of bombs, explosives, narcotics, or accelerants, or the location of missing or escaped persons.

 

            9.42.040  Penalty.  Any person violating any provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars or six months in jail or both.

 

Chapter 9.52 Offenses Against Property – Billposting

 

            9.52.010  Council consent required—Penalty for violation.  No person or persons, company or association of persons shall, without the consent of the city council, use or cause to be used any telegraph, telephone or electric light pole within the limits of the City of Dillon, for the purpose of tacking, pasting, posting, displaying or otherwise attaching thereto any bills, posters, signs, advertisements, notices or in any manner or way to render said poles unsightly; provided, that this shall not be construed so as to prevent any state, county or city officer from posting legal notices.  Anyone violating this section shall be fined in a sum not exceeding ten dollars.

 

Chapter 9.62 Consumer Protection – Solicitors

Sections:

            9.62.010          Policy.

            9.62.020          License Required.

            9.62.030          Application and Review.

            9.62.040          Expiration and Payment of Fees.

            9.62.050          Fee Schedule.

            9.62.060          Exemptions.   

            9.62.070          Violation—Penalty.

 

            9.62.010  Policy.  In recognition of its citizens’ rights of peaceful enjoyment and privacy it is the policy of the City of Dillon to regulate solicitation within its limits.  However, in recognition of those rights guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States this regulation is to be carried out in a fashion designed to address the individual rights in a direct and material way and in the least restrictive means possible.

 

            9.62.020  License Required.  Any person or entity engaged in the practice of going into private residences in the City of Dillon, not having been requested or invited to do so by the owner or owners, occupant or occupants of private residences within the City of Dillon, for the purpose of soliciting orders for the sale of goods, wares and merchandise and/or for the purpose of disposing of and/or peddling or hawking same shall first obtain a valid license from the City of Dillon.

 

            9.62.030  Application and Review.  Application for a City solicitors license shall be made at City Hall.  Application shall be accompanied by the necessary fee.  Upon receipt of said application and fee, the Chief of Police shall review said application and determine whether inspection or investigation is necessary by any of the City Departments.  In the event such investigation is deemed necessary, the Chief of Police will await the specific report requested and thereafter act upon said application.  If no investigation is deemed necessary, the Chief of Police shall deny or grant the business license applied for.

 

            9.62.040  Expiration and Payment of Fees.  All license fees shall be payable yearly, in advance, on or before January 1 of each year.  All fees for licenses shall be payable yearly, in advance on or before the date of expiration of the license which shall be December 31.

 

            9.62.050  Fee Schedule.  All licensee shall pay a license fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per year.

 

            9.62.060  Exemptions.  All non-profit persons or entities shall be exempt from the licensing requirement.

 

            9.62.070  Violation—Penalty.  Any person or entities guilty of violating this ordinance shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined in a sum not less than twenty-five dollars, or not more than one hundred dollars.  (Prior code §447)

 

Chapter 9.68 Offenses By Or Against Minors  - Curfew

Sections:

            9.68.010          Designated.

            9.68.020          Hours.

            9.68.030          Responsibility of parent or guardian.

            9.68.040          Punishment.

 

            9.68.010  Designated.  It is unlawful for any minor under the age of eighteen years to remain away from his home at late and unusual hours of the nighttime.  It is recognized that what is a late and unusual hour of the nighttime may vary with the circumstances and from time to time, and in determining whether a minor has violated the provisions of this chapter, the law enforcement officers and the courts shall take into account all the surrounding circumstances, such as: whether gainfully employed, and whether such employment requires said minor to be away from his home at times which would otherwise be considered late and unusual; whether such minor is attending or en route home from legitimate places of recreation, entertainment, education and worship, including sport events, moving picture theaters, youth centers, and church services, and finally, the amount of time which should reasonably be spent to effect a return home from such places and functions.  (Ord. 288 §1, 1985)

 

            9.68.020  Hours.  Subject to the provisions of Section 9.68.010 and to serve as a guide for parents and minors in observing this chapter, the following hours shall be presumed late and unreasonable and any arrest based thereon shall be lawful:

            A.        For all minors under the age of fourteen years of age:

            1.         The period of time between nine-thirty p.m. and five a.m. of the day following a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,

            2.         The period of time between ten p.m. and five a.m. of the day following on Friday and Saturday and any day preceding a legal holiday;

            B.        For all minors the age of fifteen years of age:

            1.         The period of time between ten p.m. and five a.m. of the day following on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,

            2.         The period of time between eleven p.m. and five a.m. of the day following on Friday and Saturday and any day preceding a legal holiday;

            C.        For all minors the age of sixteen to eighteen years of age:

            1.         The period of time between ten p.m. and five a.m. of the day following on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

            2.         The period of time between twelve a.m. and five a.m. of the day following on Friday and Saturday and any day preceding a legal holiday.

 

            9.68.030  Responsibility of parent or guardian.  It is unlawful for a parent or guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of a minor under the age of eighteen years to allow said minor to remain away from his home at late and unusual hours of the nighttime unless said minor is accompanied by said parent or guardian or custodian.  Any parent or guardian or other adult person whose ward has been found guilty by the proper court of a violation of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor.  In any prosecution under this chapter, it shall not constitute a defense that said parent or guardian or adult person did not have knowledge that his ward did remain away from his home at late and unusual hours of the nighttime, nor shall it be a defense that he gave his consent thereto.  (Ord. 288 §3, 1965)

 

            9.68.040  Punishment.  Any minor under the age of eighteen years who is apprehended for a violation of this chapter shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Montana Youth Court Act.

 

Chapter 9.78 Weapons - Fireworks and Bows

Sections:

            9.78.010          Firing Bows.

            9.78.020          Discharge of fireworks prohibited within city—exceptions.

            9.78.030          Violation—Penalty.

 

            9.78.010  Firing Bows. 

            (1)        Except as provided in subsections (2), it is unlawful to willfully shoot, discharge or fire off a bow or crossbow or any other device used to propel missiles through the air, within the City limits.

            (2)        Bow or crossbows may be discharged at an indoor or outdoor shooting range within the City limits if the shooting range is approved by the Chief of Police.

 

            9.78.020  Discharge of fireworks prohibited within city - exceptions.  It is unlawful for any person or persons to explode, burn, ignite or fire off any rockets, firecrackers, roman candles, torpedoes or any other kind or species of fireworks or pyrotechnic display containing any substance of any explosive nature, within the limits of the City of Dillon.  It is provided, however, that the City Council upon written application may, permit the use of fireworks on national holidays, and on such other days as to them may seem proper.

 

            9.78.030  Violation - Penalty.  Anyone found guilty of violation of this chapter, on conviction, be fined in any sum not less than $25.00, nor more than $200.00 for each offense.