Drizzt
March 20, 2003, 05:21 PM
Weapons in Latrobe parks targeted
By Dwayne Pickels
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Latrobe officials still are debating a plan that could ban legally concealed firearms from city parks and playgrounds.
Council Monday tabled action on a proposed ordinance that would include lawfully licensed concealed firearms among weapons and devices to be prohibited in parks and recreation areas.
Under the proposed amendment, "it shall be unlawful for any person, except police, in any park or playground, to carry or use in any way any exposed or concealed type of firearm or weapon."
The amendment is aimed at ridding public areas of BB and pellet guns linked to vandalism. Other prohibited items would include slingshots, spears, bows and arrows, and rocket devices or projectiles propelled by explosive materials.
"But I don't think BB or pellet guns or even lawful firearms have any place in our parks" said Deputy Mayor Neal Fenton.
Yet several other council members disagreed.
"I think this is taking away people's rights," Councilman Richard Jim said.
Jim and Councilman Jack Murtha argued the plan would void the right to carry a concealed firearm for citizens who hold permits from the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office.
Jim pushed to remove firearms from the proposed amendment, but council tabled the matter until their solicitor could review it.
In other business, council is looking to start keeping tabs on renters.
Council authorized drafting an ordinance "in reference to registration, licensing, inspection and sanitation account billing for all residential, commercial and industrial rental properties."
"We need to get a handle on rental units in this town," city Manager Rick Stadler said. "I couldn't tell you right now how many tenants there even are."
Details of the proposed ordinance are yet to be determined, but one problem is garbage collection bills left unpaid by transient tenants.
"There are currently about 150 new liens to be filed against property owners because of unpaid sanitation bills," Stadler said.
Council also authorized a similar ordinance for registration and inspection of vacant structures.
"We have a number of vacant properties that have just fallen apart," Mayor Warren Marckioni said. "This would give us some teeth to go in and make sure they are safe."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_122861.html
By Dwayne Pickels
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Latrobe officials still are debating a plan that could ban legally concealed firearms from city parks and playgrounds.
Council Monday tabled action on a proposed ordinance that would include lawfully licensed concealed firearms among weapons and devices to be prohibited in parks and recreation areas.
Under the proposed amendment, "it shall be unlawful for any person, except police, in any park or playground, to carry or use in any way any exposed or concealed type of firearm or weapon."
The amendment is aimed at ridding public areas of BB and pellet guns linked to vandalism. Other prohibited items would include slingshots, spears, bows and arrows, and rocket devices or projectiles propelled by explosive materials.
"But I don't think BB or pellet guns or even lawful firearms have any place in our parks" said Deputy Mayor Neal Fenton.
Yet several other council members disagreed.
"I think this is taking away people's rights," Councilman Richard Jim said.
Jim and Councilman Jack Murtha argued the plan would void the right to carry a concealed firearm for citizens who hold permits from the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office.
Jim pushed to remove firearms from the proposed amendment, but council tabled the matter until their solicitor could review it.
In other business, council is looking to start keeping tabs on renters.
Council authorized drafting an ordinance "in reference to registration, licensing, inspection and sanitation account billing for all residential, commercial and industrial rental properties."
"We need to get a handle on rental units in this town," city Manager Rick Stadler said. "I couldn't tell you right now how many tenants there even are."
Details of the proposed ordinance are yet to be determined, but one problem is garbage collection bills left unpaid by transient tenants.
"There are currently about 150 new liens to be filed against property owners because of unpaid sanitation bills," Stadler said.
Council also authorized a similar ordinance for registration and inspection of vacant structures.
"We have a number of vacant properties that have just fallen apart," Mayor Warren Marckioni said. "This would give us some teeth to go in and make sure they are safe."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_122861.html