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City of San Luis Obispo announces Mardi Gras Plans

There are no sanctioned Mardi Gras events in the City of San Luis Obispo.

A three year plan was adopted to end the violence and destructive behavior that marked Mardi Gras celebrations in San Luis Obispo, and 2007 was the third year of that plan. The total  number of arrests made during Mardi Gras 2007 was down 85% from the number made in 2004, down 62% from 2005, and down 35% from 2006. The three year plan was clearly a success, but at a cost to taxpayers of more than $2 million.

That’s why the community of San Luis Obispo and the City Council have decided “The Party Is Still Over.” 

The City of San Luis Obispo will institute the following plans during the period of Mardi Gras 2008: 

  • Many additional police officers will be on duty

  • Plainclothes officers will be deployed

  • DUI check points

  • Fines will be tripled during the Mardi Gras weekend for many crimes

  • Strict enforcement of all applicable municipal code violations, with focus on alcohol related offenses

  • Public nudity laws will be enforced

  • Dispersal of large groups in public areas to assure safety of pedestrians and motorists

  • Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law

The City encourages everyone to join in this effort by doing the following:

  • Discourage out-of-town visitors during the Mardi Gras weekend

  • Stay home and avoid public areas, particularly where large groups are gathering

  • Do not drink and drive

  • Do not drink excessively

  • Do not possess open containers of alcohol in public

  • Promptly follow the instructions of police officers

  • Obey laws, avoid confrontation

  • Staying in an area after the Police give a dispersal order is a crime—leave immediately when you are told to do so

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     Below are the actual San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Ordinances covering nudity and triple fines.

 

 

Chapter 9.30

NUDITY IN PUBLIC PLACES

9.30.010 Nudity prohibited in any public place.

It shall be an infraction for any person to appear nude in any place open to the public or any place visible from a place open to the public.  “Nude” within the meaning of this section means the absence of an opaque covering which covers the genitals, pubic hair, buttocks, perineum, anus or anal region of any person or any portion of the breast at or below the areola thereof of any female person.

9.30.020 Exceptions.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:

A.                 Any person ten years old or younger.

B.                 Any female exposing her breast to the extent such exposure is necessary to breast-feed a child.

C.                Performers who are engaged in live theatrical performances performed in a theater, concert hall or other such establishment which is primarily devoted to theatrical performances. 

D.                Models in art studios or art classes.

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Chapter 9.22

SAFETY ENHANCEMENT ZONES

9.22.010         Designation Process.

                        The City Council may by ordinance, or by resolution upon a finding that there is a need to take immediate action to protect the public health, safety and welfare, designate a specific geographical area as a “Safety Enhancement Zone” and specify the date and or time that the designation is effective upon a finding that the geographical area is subject to unique conditions and circumstances during a specific period of time that create the potential for a significant threat to public health and safety and that the threat would be reduced by enhanced penalties for violations of provisions of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code.  The ordinance or resolution establishing a Safety Enhancement Zone shall contain the following provisions: (a) a description of the geographical area comprising the Safety Enhancement Zone, and (b) the date and time, or other specific description of the time period during which the Safety Enhancement Zone designation is applicable to the geographical area.

9.22.020         Safety Enhancement Zone Penalties and Violations.

            A.        Any violation of designated sections of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code that is committed within an area that has been designated by the City Council as a Safety Enhancement Zone, and during the time that designation is effective, shall be subject to the following:

                        1.         A fine not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300.00) for a first violation;

                        2.         A fine not exceeding six hundred dollars ($600.00) for a second violation of the same section within one year;

                        3.         A fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for each additional violation of the same section within one year.

            B.        Safety Enhancement Zone Violations.  Fines for violations committed in the Safety Enhancement Zone shall apply to the following provisions: Chapter 9.04 (Possession of open containers or consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places), Chapter 9.05 (Hosting a gathering where underage persons consume alcohol), Chapter 9.12 (Noise control), Chapter 9.16 (Dangerous and deadly weapons), and Chapter 9.20 (Urination in public).  A separate offense shall be deemed to have been committed whenever a person repeats the act that constitutes the violation.

9.22.030         Prosecution Criminally or Administratively.

                        A violation under this Chapter may be prosecuted either criminally or administratively pursuant to Chapter 1.24.

9.22.040         City of San Luis Obispo Safety Enhancement Zone.

                        The City Council designates as a Safety Enhancement Zone the entire area within the City Limits of San Luis Obispo.  This designation is effective from 12:01 AM on the Thursday preceding “Fat Tuesday” until 7:00 AM on the Wednesday following “Fat Tuesday” during each year that the designation is in effect. 

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