FROM STAFF REPORTS

Iredell County officials will no longer allow demonstrations on county property between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays and at any time on weekends, following weeks of protests in front of the Iredell County Government Center in Statesville.

County Manager Beth Jones announced the policy change on Friday, explaining that recent protests related to calls to remove the Confederate monument on the grounds of the Government Center have become “more violent.”

“Over  the past several weeks Iredell County property has been the location of several protests,” Jones said in a news release. “Such protests began as a peaceful demonstration of free speech but have turned into more violent protests, which have resulted in physical assaults and arrests.

Jones explained that enforcement is necessary “in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of not only the protestors but the citizens, businesses, law enforcement and visitors to our community.”

Iredell County will enforce Iredell County Ordinance Chapter 10.5 – Public Property. Violation of the ordinance is a misdemeanor.

In addition, NC General Statute 14-288.4 Disorderly Conduct and NC General Statute 14-277.2 Weapons at Parades, etc. (Demonstrations), Prohibited will also be strictly enforced up to and including arrest by local law enforcement agencies.

Chapter 10.5 – PUBLIC PROPERTY
Sec. 10.5-1. – Title.
This chapter shall be known as the “Public Property Ordinance.”
(Ord. of 12-7-99)

Sec. 10.5-2. – Definitions.
County manager. The “county manager” shall mean the person appointed by the Iredell County Board of Commissioners as manager (acting, interim, or permanent) of Iredell County.
Facility. “Facility” shall mean any building, structure, or improvement owned by or leased by Iredell County or otherwise under its dominion or control. Facility manager. The “facility manager” shall mean the person designated by the county manager as the person in charge of any facility or property of Iredell County, which person shall have the authority to grant permission for the use of said facility or property, to persons other than employees or officials of Iredell County.
Property. “Property” shall mean any property owned or leased by Iredell County or otherwise under its dominion or control.
(Ord. of 12-7-99)

Sec. 10.5-3. – Time restrictions for county property and facilities; authority; exceptions.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to trespass or to be on or upon any property of facility between the hours of six o’clock p.m. and six o’clock a.m. on any weekday and between six o’clock p.m. on Friday and six o’clock a.m. on Monday without written permission of the county manager or the facility manager.
(b) The county manager shall be in charge of all property and facilities. The county manager may designate a person or persons to be in charge of each facility (the facility manager).
(c) This chapter shall not apply to (i) county employees or officials in the discharge of their duties; (ii) persons in attendance at a meeting sponsored by a governmental, civil, or non-profit agency for which the facility manager shall have given permission to use the property or facility; (iii) any other person with permission from either the county manager or the facility manager.
(Ord. of 12-7-99)

Sec. 10.5-4. – Failure to leave.
It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to leave any property or facility after having been asked to leave by the acting facility manager.
(Ord. of 12-7-99)

Sec. 10.5-5. – Facility rules and regulations.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any rule or regulation pertaining to any property or facility, including but not limited to rules or regulations pertaining to hours and places of parking vehicles, use of parking lots or parking areas, use of buildings, and littering upon grounds or in buildings.
(Ord. of 12-7-99)

Sec. 10.5-6. – Prohibited activities.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use any property or facility other than areas designated in public parks for that purpose for skateboarding, roller blading, skating (in-line or otherwise), congregating, playing of music, biking (motorized or self-propelled), or staging, playing, or participating in any game.
(Ord. of 12-7-99)

Sec. 10.5-7. – Loitering on county property or facilities.
It shall be unlawful for any person to loaf, lounge, or loiter near, on or about the parking or sidewalk areas of any property or facility. Nothing herein shall be construed, however, as prohibiting those with lawful business at any property or facility from attending to such business, and this chapter shall not apply to persons with lawful business upon any property or facility.

Sec. 10.5-8. – Penalty.
Violation of any provision of Chapter 10.5 is a misdemeanor and is punishable as provided in section 1-7(a) and (b) of Chapter 1 of the Iredell County Code.
(Ord. of 12-7-99)

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