BY THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF CHARLESTOWN, INDIANA

ORDINANCE NO. 1981-l4

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE WEARING OF HOODS AND MASKS IN PUBLIC

WHEREAS, the government of the City of Charlestown, Indiana exist to serve equally all of its citizens and to protect all of its citizens from crimes and inciteful disturbances, and

WHEREAS, certain persons and groups have appeared, demonstrated and/or paraded in public wearing devices intended to cover their faces and thereby conceal their identity, and

WHEREAS, such appearances and/or demonstrations have disturbed domestic tranquility, and have incited violence and racial hostility,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council for the City of Charlestown as follows:

SECTION I. Definitions
Public Place. All walks, alleys, streets, boulevards, avenues, lanes, roads, highways, or other ways or thoroughfares dedicated to public use or owned or maintained by public authority; all grounds and buildings owned, leased or operated for the use of organizations enjoying all tax-exempt privileges as a charitable use.

SECTION 2. Wearing Hoods or Mask in A Public Place
No person or persons shall, while wearing hood, mask, or device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, enter, be, or appear in any public place within the City of Charlestown, Indiana.

SECTION 3. Exemptions
The following are exempted from the provisions of Section 2 of this Ordinance.

(1) Any person under fourteen years of age;
(2) Any person wearing traditional holiday costumes in season; traditional holiday costumes shall include Halloween costumes; Christmas costumes, and other holiday costumes on the day(s) when the holiday(s) is celebrated.
(3) Any person using masks in theatrical productions including use, in Mardi-gras celebrations and Masquerade balls;
(4) Any person lawfully engaged in trades or employment or in a sporting activity where a mask or facial covering is worn for the purpose of ensuring the physical safety of the wearer, or because of the nature of the occupation, trade or professional or sporting activity;
(S) Any person wearing a gas mask in drills, exercises or emergencies;
(6) Any person wearing a mask for protection against inclement weather;
(7) Any person wearing a mask because of any illness, allergy, or on the advice of his or her physician.

SECTION 4. Penalties
Any person who violates Section 2 of this Ordinance shall be guilty of
an infraction, and shall be fined no more than $100.00

SECTION 5. Effective Date
This Ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and approval.

Approved this day of 1981 by the Mayor of the City of Charlestown.
Robert D. Braswell, Mayor

ATTEST:
Dorothea Jenkins, Clerk-treasurer

* This ordinance is an UNOFFICIAL reproduction / copy, courtesy of www.ctownpd.com.