[Adopted 6-15-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-16]
The Mayor and Council make the following findings:
A.
Unruly behavior at sporting events has increased in recent years.
Incidents of unauthorized persons entering the playing area of a sporting
event have become more common.
B.
Unauthorized persons entering the playing area of a sporting event,
and the tossing or hurling of objects, substances or dangerous instruments
onto the playing area of a sporting event, may cause serious injury
and may result in violence, particularly in a crowded venue during
a sporting event.
C.
It is not the intent of this article to penalize traditional fan
participation in sports events, including but not limited to throwing
a ball back onto the field after a home run, or the tossing of hats
onto the rink after a hat trick in a hockey game. Instead, this article
is intended to address that behavior which is not part of a sports
tradition but is intended to cause physical injury or disrupt an event.
For the purposes of this article the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
Any instrument, article or substance which, under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened to be used, is readily capable of causing death or other serious physical injury. A laser (as defined in § 214-11) shall be a dangerous instrument.
Any area designated for use by players, coaches, officials
or other team, or other, personnel administering the sporting event
that is on, or adjacent to, the area of play during the period from
the opening of the venue's gates to the public to the closing
of the gates after the event.
An athletic competition or practice, including, but not limited
to, one conducted in a public venue. The duration of said such competition
or practice is to include the period from the opening of the venue's
gates to the public to the closing of the gates after the event.
An umpire, referee, player, coach, manager, security employee,
groundskeeper, stadium operations employee, or any other sanctioned
participant in which the sporting event is taking place.
The term includes, but is not limited to, any liquid or saliva.
A.
No person, other than a sports participant, shall knowingly enter
or remain unlawfully upon the playing area of a sporting event.
B.
No person, other than a sports participant, shall subject a sports
participant to contact by means of any substance, object or dangerous
instrument during a sporting event, or attempt to do so, with the
intent to cause physical injury to a sports participant during a sporting
event or with the intent to disrupt a sporting event.
C.
No person, other than a sports participant, shall place, drop, toss
or hurl any substance, object or dangerous instrument onto the playing
area of sporting event, or attempt to do so, with the intent to cause
physical injury to a sports participant during a sporting event or
with the intent to disrupt a sporting event.
D.
No person, other than a sports participant, shall strike, slap, kick
or otherwise subject to physical contact a sports participant during
a sporting event, or to attempt to do so, with the intent to cause
physical injury to a sports participant during a sporting event or
with the intent to disrupt a sporting event.
A.
Any person violating § 214-8A shall be punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.
B.
Any person violating § 214-8B shall be punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. Any person who violates the provisions of such section by using any substance or object other than a dangerous instrument shall be punishable by imprisonment of not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $500, or both.
C.
Any person violating § 214-8C shall be punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. Any person who violates the provisions of such section by using any substance or object other than a dangerous instrument shall be punishable by imprisonment of not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $500, or both.
