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New Law Regulates Mass Gatherings |
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by Dan Veaner
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Friday, 19 May 2006 |
If you want to have a rally, carnival or parade in Lansing you'll need a permit, now that Lansing's Town Board passed a new Mass Gatherings law last Wednesday (5/17). Town Attorney Guy Krogh explained that laws like this were prompted in the past by unregulated rock concerts in upstate New York where people died. "They were unable to get medical services, it created a huge environmental mess, it didn't have proper facilities, didn't have water." He said it affects other things like traffic, public health and access for fire trucks.
 Lansing Town Board (l - r) Supervisor Steve Farkas, Deputy Supervisor Bud Shattuck, Connie Wilcox, Marty Christopher and Matt Besemer |
By issuing permits municipalities are able to plan ahead. For example, the fire department would know that a route is blocked and respond to emergencies via an alternative route. "With permits you have something in place to make sure that there is safe parking, ingress and egress for emergency vehicles, sufficient water and facilities on-site to take care of the anticipated number of people."
Local Law #3 defines public assemblies and sets regulations for notices and permits and vehicles used in the events. It forbids open burning, sets limits on where assemblies can take place, allows the Town to schedule events, enforce the permits and protect the public from unreasonable public effects of the event.
Krogh said the law will not affect events like chicken barbecues and similar events. "Public assembly under this ordinance is one that if not controlled or regulated can be reasonably expected to interfere with the use of public property by others, and a public gathering of 25 or more persons over a period of fifteen minutes or more," he explained, then listed a number of exceptions such as private parties, picnics and weddings.
Events like the Fire Department Carnival will fall under the new law. "That would very clearly be a mass gathering," Krogh said. "They would have to go through a permit process." Councilman Bud Shattuck noted that "There will probably be some sort of technical delay in getting this to the State. I don't think it will affect the carnival this year."
The law was passed 5/0 after a public hearing, and will go into effect once it has been filed with the Department of State.
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