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Chapter 5 — REGULATION OF PARTICULAR BUSINESS

Part 6 — Private Patrols

Downey Municipal Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-10-02 · Downey

§ 6557. DEFINITIONS.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, or where the context clearly indicates a different contention, the terms set forth in Sections 6557.1, 6557.2, and 6557.3 of this part, for the purposes of this part, shall have the meanings indicated.

(Added by Ord. 78, adopted 1-13-58; amended by Ord. 501, adopted 4-13-76)

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§ 6557.1. PATROL SYSTEM.

"Patrol system" shall mean any service or system which purports to furnish, or does furnish, to members or subscribers to the service any patrolman to patrol any district or territory in the City or to perform any service usually and customarily performed by the regular patrolmen of the Police Department of the City.

(Added by Ord. 78, adopted 1-13-58; amended by Ord. 263, adopted 3-8-65)

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§ 6557.2. PATROLMAN.

"Patrolman" shall mean any person employed by a private patrol system whose duties require him or her to patrol from place to place within the City or to perform services ordinarily performed by regular police officers of the Police Department.

(Added by Ord. 78, adopted 1-13-58; amended by Ord. 263, adopted 3-8-65)

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§ 6557.3. SECURITY GUARD.

"Security guard" shall mean any person employed directly by the person or business upon whose premises he or she is working and who is performing a service for such employer ordinarily performed by regular officers of the Police Department. (Added by Ord. 501, adopted 4-13-76)

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§ 6558. UNIFORMS.

All uniforms, including insignia, caps, badges, or other devices worn or displayed by persons while acting as patrolman or security guards within the City, shall be of a color and design that does not give the appearance of a regular officer of the Police Department. (Added by Ord. 78, adopted 1-13-58; amended by Ord. 501, adopted 4-13-76)

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§ 6559. VEHICLES.

All vehicles, including equipment and insignia, used by persons while acting as patrolmen or security guards within the City, shall not give the appearance of a regular vehicle of the Police Department. (Amended by Ord. 263, adopted 3-8-65; Ord. 501, adopted 4-13-76)

§ 6559.1. PATROLMEN: PERMITS: APPLICATIONS. (Amended by Ord. 263, adopted 3-8-65; repealed by Ord. 501, adopted 4-13-76)

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§ 6559.2. PATROLMEN: PERMITS: ISSUANCE.

(Added by Ord. 263, adopted 3-8-65; repealed by Ord. 501, adopted 4-13-76)

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§ 6559.3. PATROLMEN: IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

(Added by Ord. 263, adopted 3-8-65; repealed by Ord. 501, adopted 4-13-76)

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§ 6560. UNIFORMS.

(Amended by Ord. 348, adopted 8-27-68; repealed by Ord. 501, adopted 4-13-76)

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§ 6561. PATROLMEN: PERMITS: REVOCATION.

(Amended by Ord. 263, adopted 3-8-65; repealed by Ord. 501, adopted 4-13-76)

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§ 6565. DEFINITIONS.

Unless otherwise expressly stated or where the context clearly indicates a different construction, the following terms, for the purposes of this part, shall have the meanings indicated as follows: (Added by Ord. 121, adopted 3-24-59)

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§ 6565.1. SAME. BILLIARDS.

"Billiards" shall mean any of the several games played on a table, surrounded by an elastic ledge or cushions, with balls which are impelled by cues and shall include all forms of a game known as pool.

(Added by Ord. 121, adopted 3-24-59)

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§ 6565.2. SAME. BILLIARD ROOM.

Billiard room shall mean that portion of any public place set aside for, devoted to or used in connection with the playing of the game of billiards and shall include any such place where a fee is charged, which is directly or indirectly conditioned upon or related to the playing of the game of billiards.

(Added by Ord. 121, adopted 3-24-59)

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§ 6566. PERMIT.

No person shall maintain, conduct, or operate any billiard room without first having applied for, and received, a permit as provided in this article. (Added by Ord. 121, adopted 3-24-59)

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§ 6567. POSTING.

A copy of this part shall be posted and maintained in a conspicuous place on the premises where the billiard room is conducted.

(Added by Ord. 121, adopted 3-24-59)

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§ 6568. HOURS OF OPERATION.

No person shall operate a billiard room between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., or permit or allow any person to play billiards or remain in any billiard room between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.. This section, however, shall not be construed to prevent regular employees from performing necessary work within the premises. (Added by Ord. 121, adopted 3-24-59)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 6569. ATTENDANCE OF MINORS.

  • (a) No person under the age of 18 years shall be in, remain in, enter or visit any billiard room, unless accompanied by his parent or guardian.

No person having charge or control of any billiard room shall permit or allow any person under the age of 18 years to be in, remain in, enter or visit any billiard room, unless such minor person is accompanied by his parent or guardian.

  • (b) The provisions of subdivision (a) of this section shall not apply to any person under the age of 18 years, if such person while in any billiard room is a member of a bona fide organized recreational group attending such room as a part of its activities, and there is in charge of such group and accompanying such group, while in a billiard room, a person over the age of 21 years.

  • (c) No person shall represent himself to have reached the age of 18 years in order to obtain admission to a billiard room or to be permitted to remain therein when such person in fact is under 18 years of age.

(Added by Ord. 121, adopted 3-24-59)

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§ 6570. CONSTRUCTION AND SANITARY REQUIREMENTS.

A billiard room shall be so constructed and maintained that a clear and unobstructed view of the entire interior thereof may at all times be had from any entrance to such room. No partitions forming rooms, stalls, or other enclosures where the public congregates shall be permitted. This provision, however, shall not be construed to preclude the maintenance of washrooms, toilet rooms, for proper purposes or the maintenance of closets for storage purposes exclusively. All billiard rooms shall be kept in a clean, healthful and sanitary condition. (Added by Ord. 121, adopted 3-24-59)

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§ 6571. EXEMPTIONS.

The provisions of this part shall not apply to any institution or organization which is conducted, managed or carried on wholly for charitable purposes or from which profit is not derived, either directly or indirectly, by any individual, firm or corporation. (Added by Ord. 121, adopted 3-24-59)

Part 7A Arcades

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§ 6573. ARCADE DEFINED.

As used in this part, "arcade" shall mean any place to which the public is admitted or invited wherein five or more coin or slug operated amusement machines are maintained or where one or more coin or slug operated still or motion picture machines are maintained. (Added by Ord. 527, adopted 7-12-77)

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§ 6573.1. PERMITS REQUIRED.

No person shall operate, maintain, manage, or conduct an arcade without a written permit from the Chief of Police issued pursuant to the provisions of this article. (Added by Ord. 527, adopted 7-12-77)

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§ 6573.2. POSTING.

A copy of this part shall be posted and maintained in a conspicuous place on the premises wherein the arcade is maintained.

(Added by Ord. 527, adopted 7-12-77)

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§ 6573.3. HOURS OF OPERATION.

No person shall operate an arcade between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. or permit any person to remain in any arcade between 2:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.. This section, however, shall not be construed to prevent regular employees from performing necessary work within the premises. (Added by Ord. 527, adopted 7-12-77)

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§ 6573.4. ATTENDANCE OF MINORS.

  • (a) No person under the age of 18 years shall be in, remain in, enter, or visit any arcade between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. unless accompanied by his parent or legal guardian.

  • (b) No person shall falsely represent himself to have reached the age of 18 years in order to obtain admission or remain in an arcade between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m..

  • (c) No person having charge or control of any arcade shall permit or allow any person under the age of 18 years to be in, remain in, enter, or visit any arcade between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. unless such minor is accompanied by his parent or legal guardian.

  • (Added by Ord. 527, adopted 7-12-77)

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§ 6573.5. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS.

An arcade shall be so constructed and maintained that a clear and unobstructed view of the entire interior thereof may at all times be had from any entrance to such premises. No partitions forming rooms, stalls, or other enclosures shall be permitted where the public is admitted, except that rest rooms shall be maintained, and storage rooms with access limited to employees only may be maintained.

(Added by Ord. 527, adopted 7-12-77)

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§ 6573.6. RULES AND REGULATIONS.

Rules and regulations consistent with the purposes of this part and to implement this part shall be adopted by the Chief of Police, and all arcades shall be operated in accordance with the provisions of this part and such rules and regulations. (Added by Ord. 527, adopted 7-12-77)

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