§ 62-9. Code of conduct.

(a)

Intent. The town parks and recreation department activities are made available to youth and adults to enjoy fun and wholesome recreational programming that teaches character and sportsmanship. The town parks and recreation department supports the belief that all recreational programming and experiences should be positive and safe with sportsmanship and enjoyment the primary goal. To achieve this goal, the town parks and recreation department strives to provide a safe environment for participants of these programs and to protect them from harm to the best of our abilities. To that end, all participants and spectators must be held accountable for their behavior and zero tolerance given for intentional violation of this code of conduct. It is hoped that situations never warrant the removal of an individual from any activity, event or facility. However, it is the obligation of the town parks and recreation department to maintain a controlled, safe and healthy environment for everyone. Recreation activities are designed to foster qualities such as character building, social interaction, enjoyment and relaxation while educating the general public and promoting healthy lifestyles. Such activities are not designed to be overly competitive and the town parks and recreation department does not promote this contention.

(b)

Expectations. All persons and groups using the town parks and recreation department facilities, and participating in activities thereon/therein, should treat all persons with dignity and respect, use appropriate language, tone and volume when communicating, and when in doubt, should remain silent. Such persons and groups should also become knowledgeable, understanding and supportive of all established guidelines, rules, policies and procedures applicable to related programs and activities, and recognize and acknowledge that the use and participation in the town parks and recreation department facilities and programming is a privilege that can be rescinded for the greater good. Negative attitudes, verbal abuse of officials, poor sportsmanship, profanity, child predators and violence cast a negative light in our arena. It is for that reason that penalties have been assessed and will be enforced for acts perceived by the town parks and recreation department as intentional violations.

(c)

Prohibited conduct. It shall be a violation of this code of conduct for any person or groups of persons utilizing the town parks and recreation department facilities, or participating in any activities or programs involving the use of such facilities, to engage in any of the following conduct:

(1)

Failure to follow the established guidelines, rules, policies and procedures of the department applicable to such activities, facilities or programs;

(2)

Failure to comply with a department official's decision;

(3)

Taunting, mocking, and/or harassment of players;

(4)

Engaging in rude gestures or comments, screaming or loudly disagreeing with others, obscene, vulgar or profane language, throwing, kicking or striking of bats and other miscellaneous equipment, unnecessary roughness among participants;

(5)

Use of malicious obscene, profane, vulgar language or verbal abuse directed towards another individual, verbal epithets to race, color, religion, creed, gender or sexual orientation of another person;

(6)

Communication of threats, physical violence or the act of insulting another with intent to offend, defame or embarrass another person;

(7)

Physical aggression toward another person, pushing, shoving, striking or inappropriately touching another person with the intent to incite, inflict or cause physical harm, invading another individual's personal space during a dispute;

(8)

Any violation of state law, possession of firearms, knives, explosive devices and weapons;

(9)

Being under the influence of any impairing substance, alcohol, narcotics, controlled substances, or chemicals or having possession of drug paraphernalia or assaulting another in any manner.

(d)

Suspension from use of facilities. If in the opinion of the town parks and recreation official at the facility, program or activity involved any person or groups of persons is engaging in any of the prohibited activities, as set out hereinabove, such official shall have the authority to suspend such persons or groups from using the town parks and recreation department facilities, or from participating in any of the programs or activities therein. In addition, such official shall have the authority to immediately suspend such persons or groups, as hereinafter set forth. Such official will offer to escort the offending individual from the facility. If the offending individual refuse to leave the premises, local law enforcement authorities will be contacted and requested to enforce the ruling. For a violation of the conduct as set out in subsections (c)(1), (2), (3) or (4) of this section the suspension shall be for a minimum period of ten days. For a violation of the conduct as set out in subsections (c)(5) and (6) of this section, the suspension shall be for a minimum period of 30 days. For a violation of the conduct as set out in subsections (c)(7), (8) or (9) of this section, the suspension shall be for a minimum period of 180 days.

Within 48 hours following any such suspension the town parks and recreation department shall provide written notice, by certified mail, to the suspended person or group setting out the details of the violation and suspension in effect. Such notice shall also state that the suspension may be appealed in writing to the director of the town parks and recreation department, by written response to be delivered to the director within 48 hours of receipt of such letter. If appealed, the director shall refer the matter to a panel/committee consisting of the facility supervisor, program supervisor, athletic supervisor and the department director, and an investigation shall be undertaken by such panel. During the investigation, the individual will be suspended from the facilities and activities of the town parks and recreation department. Such individual requesting the appeal will then be requested to appear before the appeal review committee for hearing. The decision of the panel will be rendered within ten working days from the receipt of the appeal. The decision of the committee shall be final. Suspensions of less than ten days are not subject to appeal. However, upon reviewing the ejection and supervisor reports, the parks and recreation director, athletic supervisor or the town manager may reduce the suspension or, if appropriate hereunder, increase the period of the suspension. The standard to be used by the committee in making its decision shall be whether or not the continued use of the facilities or participation in the activities or program by the suspended person or group will be detrimental to the health, welfare, safety and recreation of the general public.

(Code 1999, § 62-9; Ord. of 5-7-2007, § 1; Ord. of 6-18-2007(2), § 1)