Douglas County joins Arapahoe County in passing an ordinance
aimed at people who carry signs to protest, if the signs could be
used as weapons.
The ordinance will expire one minute to midnight Dec. 31.
Based on a California ordinance that survived a challenge at the
9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the ordinance for Douglas County
outlaws wood greater than 1 foot in length and more than 1 1\2
inches in diameter or 1 inch by 2 inches if it’s rectangular.
Also, plastic pipes greater than 1 inch in diameter or metal
pipes or rods longer than 1 foot with 1 inch or more in diameter
are prohibited.
The ordinance also affects any launching device that can set
sail projectiles or put pressure on liquids. That means no squirt
guns or sling shots.
Forget gas masks, too.
In 1999, many protesters at Seattle’s World Trade Organization
summit wore gas masks.
A documentary on the World Trade Organization protests, “This is
What Democracy Looks Like,” showed Seattle police lifting a man’s
mask, spraying something in his eyes, and dropping the mask back in
place.
Any mask designed to filter air against noxious, poisonous or
irritant gases is also banned under the ordinance.
The ordinance exempts musical instruments and ambulatory
devices.
“In preparing for the upcoming DNC, I felt that taking this
precautionary step would not only ensure the safety of the citizens
and preservation of property, but also the safety of deputies and
personnel responding to situations at public and private
assemblies,” said Douglas County Sheriff Dave Weaver.
A press release from the sheriff’s office said, “While the
Sheriff encourages citizens to exercise their Constitutional right
to assemble, he feels that it is necessary to address certain items
that, if brought to where people assemble, may pose a safety
concern.”
The new ordinance defines disorderly assembly as any gathering,
assembly, congregation or entertainment event that violates the
laws of the county, state or federal government.
Similar ordinances have been passed in Arapahoe County and
Englewood.
But Centennial and Littleton did not pass similar
ordinances.
Violations of the ordinance bring a $1,000 fine.
Peter Jones contributed to this report.
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rlydick@ccnewspapers.com