Senoia City Council Feb. 2 reviewed what were said to be needed ordinances ranging from loitering, and keeping a disorderly house to matters of public urination and defecation. A public hearing for the proposed ordinances is expected at the next council meeting.

“We’ve been seeing an influx of certain situations due to growth. For other situations, it will be good to be prepared in advance,” said Police Chief Jason Edens. “The reason for (three) separate ordinances is so that we can tailor them to what we need. They will be more clearly and specifically defined than the (comparable) state ordinances and the jurisdiction will be here in city court instead of state court.”

The Loitering Ordinance specifies loitering as the presence of an individual in any public place or business where the person’s presence is unrelated to the normal activity of the location. Violations include hindering or obstructing unreasonably the free passage of pedestrians or vehicular traffic, refusing to leave after being asked by the owner or agent of the premises or by law enforcement, participating in conduct that unreasonably disrupts the repose or peace of persons acting lawfully or causing people to fear for their safety.

Another stipulation of the ordinance included congregating on sidewalks or streets in such a way that obstructs the traffic flow.

The ordinance also addresses one or more people congregating on private property situated adjacent to a business or a business parking lot in a manner that is not usual for law-abiding persons under circumstances that warrant a justifiable or reasonable alarm or immediate concern for the safety of others. An example of alarm or immediate concern would be when a person flees when approached by a police officer, refuses to identify himself/herself or attempts to conceal themselves or an object, the ordinance said.

A final portion of the ordinance involves juveniles. If a minor with a first-time conviction, the responsible adult will be issued a warning citation. Upon further convictions, the responsible adult will face punishment through city court.

A review of the Disorderly House Ordinance indicates the conditions that will constitute a violation. It will be unlawful for a person, or for that person to permit others, acting in a boisterous, noisy or riotous manner to assemble in or about a house, building, structure, vehicle or on any private property to the reasonable annoyance or disturbance of other persons living or working nearby. Also prohibited will be assembly in the aforementioned areas for gambling or any illegal activity or purpose.

The final proposed ordinance was one pertaining to public urination or defecation. Those bodily functions must be confined to areas designated to public toilets, restrooms or bathrooms.

“Seeing an increase in public urination, this gives us an easier way to be clear-cut and defined so that these things can be dealt with at the time,” Edens said.

After a brief discussion at the end of the presentation the board voted unanimously to have city attorney Drew Whalen fine tune the provisions of the ordinances so that they will be ready for the next meeting. Council members said they expect to conduct the public hearing Feb. 16.

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