Amendments to a few sections within Chapter 13 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions) of the Warren Code of Ordinances were approved for a first reading at the July 11 Warren Town Council meeting, all of which are now in position to be approved for a final reading at next month’s meeting.

These are the ordinance amendments that were discussed, and the associated changes that were approved.

Defacing/vandalizing public property (Section 13-3)

The change would include playgrounds, bathrooms, and any other recreational space within the vandalism ordinance, which would be punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding thirty (30) days and/or restitution in cases involving property damage or personal injury in an amount up to twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) and/or voluntary community service for the town for not more than ten (10) days for any one (1) offense.

Possession of substances by minors (Section 13-5)

This amendment would prohibit those under the age of 21 from possessing alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine products in any public space, with an exception for those who have a valid medical marijuana license.

The key change here is that the ordinance specified that a “minor” is a person under the age of 21, and now also includes additional nicotine products, such as vapes and oral tobacco products such as snuff, in addition to marijuana and alcohol.

Serving alcohol at public gatherings (Section 13-6)

This change would prevent alcohol from being served at gatherings held on public property without first requiring a permit to do so.

This change required an amendment from the Council, as the original text proposed could have prevented people from serving alcohol within their own back yards by failing to specify that only public property was bound to the law.

“We don’t want to ban barbecues,” quipped Town Solicitor Tony DeSisto.

Playing in the street (Section 13-8)

This change updated language to clarify that any type of recreational activity should not be permitted on public streets where there is “high or moderate” traffic. Each individual found guilty of such activity could be punished by the same statute mentioned above.

Camping on public property (Section 13-10)

This ordinance change was subject to some curious conversation during last month’s meeting, as the initial writing of the amendment made it unclear whether or not someone taking a nap in a public space (such as while relaxing on the Town Beach) could ostensibly be in violation of the proposed ban on sleeping on public property.

The new iteration of the amendment clarified that camping on public property was the violation, defining that as “to set up, or to remain in or at a campsite, for the purpose of establishing or maintaining a temporary place to live…’Campsite’ means any place where any bedding, sleeping bag, or other sleeping matter, or any stove or fire is placed, established, or maintained, whether or not such place incorporates the use of any tent, lean-to, shack, or any structure, or any vehicle or part thereof.”

The ordinance amendment would allow for camping on public property only in the event of an emergency declaration.

Swimming in local waters (Section 13-11)

This amendment changed language prohibiting swimming in local waterways, such as Narragansett Bay, Mount Hope Bay, Warren and Kickemuit Rivers, Belchers Cove and all other ponds and water belonging to Warren’s jurisdiction from a specifically outlined 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., to being prohibited from “sunset to sunrise.”

Changes to playing music (Sections 13-26 and 13-35)

A couple of amendments were made to local ordinances regarding playing music in public, and a new section of the law was proposed.

A change to Section 13-26 clarified that “no person shall operate, play, or permit the operation of any drum, musical instrument or similar device which produces sound in such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary or outdoors between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Second, the creation of a new section (13-35) focuses on prohibiting sound equipment and amplifying equipment around public schools and child care centers.

It stipulates:

• The purpose of this section is to promote a supportive and respectful environment in which children feel physically and emotionally safe while in school, at a child care center, etc.
• No person shall play or permit the operation of any sound equipment or sound amplifying equipment within fifty (50) feet of a public school between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on days during which school is [in] session.
• No person shall play or permit the operation of any sound equipment or sound amplifying equipment within fifty (50) feet of a child care center, after school program, etc., between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. upon days that such programs shall be in operation.
• This section shall not apply to activities for which a permit and a noise variance have been issued by the town.