CHANDLER, Ariz. - Chandler City Council has approved the introduction of two ordinances that prohibit unruly gatherings and minors possessing brass knuckles. The City Council will vote May 23 to adopt the ordinances. If approved that night, the ordinances would take effect on June 24.
The ordinances are intended to prevent and deter teen violence by providing educational and enforcement tools to address such incidents. Violations would be subject to a civil fine or a class one misdemeanor charge, which is punishable by up to a $2,500 fine, six months in jail and three years’ probation. A class one misdemeanor is the highest offense that can be prosecuted at the municipal level.
If the ordinances are adopted, Chandler would conduct extensive community outreach to educate the community about these new laws once they take effect. The focus will be to educate Chandler residents, including parents, young adults and teens.
Once adopted, it would be unlawful to permit, organize, host or attend unruly gatherings. Police would have the ability to cite and disperse participants gathered. A responsible person(s) could be arrested and charged with a class one misdemeanor if any of the following occur on the premises:
- minors possessing or consuming alcohol
- illegal drugs
- act designated a felony under state law
- physical altercation that results in injury
- previous citation for unruly gathering within prior 180 days
If the responsible party of an unruly gathering is under 18 years old, the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the juvenile also would be held responsible for violations.
The second ordinance introduced by the City Council addresses brass/metal knuckles. Once adopted, minors under 18 years old would be prohibited from possessing brass/metal knuckles. These products also could not be sold or given to minors under 18 years old. Violations would be a class one misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to a $2,500 fine, six months in jail and three years’ probation.
Timeline
May 23 – the Chandler City Council will vote to adopt the ordinances. If adopted, the ordinances would take effect in 30 days. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the Chandler Council Chambers, 88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ 85225.
June 24 – Adopted ordinances would take effect and become law in Chandler.
Resources
- Proposed Unruly Gathering Ordinance
- Proposed Brass Knuckles Ordinance
- Chandler’s Teen Violence webpage