Wasco Municipal Code Ch. 12.24 Public Assemblies

Sections: 12.24.010 Permit--Required. 12.24.020 Permit--Sound equipment--Application--Contents. 12.24.030 Permit--Parade--Application--Contents--Issuance. 12.24.040 Permit--Meeting or assembly--Application--Contents. 12.24.050 Permit--Denial--When. 12.24.060 Permit--Denial--Appeal procedure. 12.24.070 Violation--Penalty.

No person shall conduct a meeting, assembly or parade in or upon the public streets or highways of the city, or participate in any such meeting, assembly or parade unless and until a permit to conduct such meeting, assembly or parade has been obtained from the chief of police, or, as provided in this chapter, from the city council of the city. (Ord. 144 §1, 1968).

It is unlawful for any person to operate any loudspeakers, bull horns or sound equipment on or upon any public street or highway of the city, unless and until a permit has been obtained from the chief of police. The application for permit shall fully state the name and address of the applicant, the hours and days of the week, and place and such other pertinent matters and information as the chief of police may request so that the chief of police may ascertain that such loudspeakers, bull horns or sound equipment will not annoy or disturb the peace and quiet of the residents of the city. (Ord. 144 §2, 1968).

A. Any person desirous of conducting a parade shall apply to the chief of police for a permit at least ten days in advance of the proposed parade. In applying for a permit to hold a parade, the applicant shall specify the time, place and route thereof, the name of the person or organization desiring the permit, and such other information as may be required by the chief of police in order to enable him to make adequate arrangements, as circumstances may require, for the proper policing of the proposed parade.

B. If there is no prior application for a parade at the time and place specified, the chief of police shall forthwith issue a permit granting the application, subject to the provisions of Section 12.24.050. In the event that there is a prior application for a parade to be held at the time specified, the chief of police may deny the permit. (Ord. 144 §3, 1968).

A. Applications may be made by any person to hold a meeting or assembly, and the application for such meeting or assembly must be filed with the chief of police at least four days in advance of the date of the proposed meeting or assembly, specifying tie time and place thereof, the name of the person or organization desiring the permit, and such other information as may be required by the chief of police in order to enable him to make adequate arrangements, as circumstances may require, for the proper policing of the proposed meeting or assembly.

B. The chief of police shall forthwith issue a permit granting the application, unless a prior application for the time and place specified has been made, in which event another time and place may be selected and, upon the selection of the alternative time and place by the applicant, the chief of police shall forthwith grant a permit therefor, subject to the provisions of Section 12.24.050. (Ord. 144 §4, 1968).

The chief of police may refuse a permit for either a meeting, assembly, parade or sound equipment, when in his judgment the conditions of vehicular and pedestrian traffic or the effect upon stores, offices and other places of business, or upon residents, or hospitals, churches, institutions reserved for the sick, schools, or educational institutions in the vicinity, all considered in relation to the safety, comfort and convenience of the public generally, shall so warrant. (Ord. 144 §5, 1968).

Upon a denial by the police department of an application made in pursuance of Section 12.24.020 through 12.24.040, the applicant may appeal from the determination of the chief of police, within two days thereafter, to the city council by filing his application with the clerk of the city, who shall set the appeal for hearing by the council at its next meeting. Upon such appeal, the council may reverse, affirm or modify in any regard the determination of the chief of police. To carry out the judgment of the council upon appeal, the chief of police shall be directed to act in conformity with the judgment of the council. (Ord. 144 §6, 1968).

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 144 §7, 1968).