Enforcement of Extraordinary Event Ordinance
Purpose of Ordinance:
The purpose of the Extraordinary Event Ordinance is to allow law enforcement to identify risks or
individuals intent on doing harm at a large scale event of national or international significance and/or an
event expected to attract a significant number of people to a certain portion of the city. The ordinance
should not affect the normal way of life for law abiding citizens.
Law abiding citizens going about their daily business will not be subject to arrest for simply possessing a
prohibited item during and within the boundary of an Extraordinary Event.
Prohibited Items:
Below is a list of items prohibited during an Extraordinary Event. Many of these items are not in and of
themselves a weapon. Also there may be times when a person is in possession of these items for a
legitimate purpose. Officers will not immediately arrest/cite someone simply because they are in
possession of an item. Instead officers will determine whether the person is in possession of an item
while going to or from an activity in which that device is used for a legitimate purpose. If so, then the
ordinance would not apply and no enforcement action should be taken unless the person actually
attempts to use the device as a weapon to injure another person or to damage property.
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Bars, chains, shafts, cables, or plastic pipe capable of inflicting serious injury
A container or object of sufficient weight that may be used as a projectile, or that contains
objects that may be used as a projectile that could inflict serious injury to a person or damage
property
An aerosol container, spray gun or soaker device
A paint gun, etching materials, spray paint container, liquid paint or marker containing a fluid
that is not water soluble
A backpack, duffle bag, satchel, cooler, or other item carried with the intent to conceal weapons
or other prohibited items
A glass or breakable container capable of being filled with a flammable or dangerous substance
carried with the intent to inflict serious injury to a person or damage to property
A sharp or bladed object such as a box cutter, utility knife, ice pick, or axe
A hammer or crow bar
Pepper spray, mace or any other irritant carried with the intent to delay, obstruct or resist the
lawful orders of a lawful orders of a law enforcement officer
Body armor, shield, helmet, protective pads, or gas masks carried or worn with the intent to
delay, obstruct or resist the lawful orders of a law enforcement officer
A mask or scarf worn with the intent to hide one’s identity while committing a crime
A police scanner
Rocks, bottles, objects, bricks, or pieces thereof that are of sufficient weight or design as to
cause serious injury to a person if thrown at or struck upon another
A device used to shoot, hurl, or project a missile of any description capable of inflicting serious
injury to a person
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A “sock” or “pocket” containing material of sufficient weight as to cause serious injury to a
person if thrown or struck upon another
Fireworks, smoke bombs, sparklers and stink bombs
An animal unless specifically allowed as a service animal used to assist a person with a disability.
However residents will be able to walk their dog within the extraordinary event boundaries
without fear of arrest.
To review the complete ordinance (No. 4814), visit cmpd.org.
For questions about Extraordinary Events contact the CMPD Attorney’s Office at 704-336-2406.