Youngstown council declines approving proposed loitering ordinance

YOUNGSTOWN — City council declined approving an ordinance today making it illegal to sit, lie down or loiter on downtown sidewalks, streets or within 50 feet of a business.

But Mayor John A. McNally, who sponsored the legislation, said he would have police officers enforce it “ordinance or not.”

Council members referred the legislation to its safety committee for further discussion with a possible vote during the next council meeting July 13.

Some members expressed concerns such as it would unnecessarily bother people waiting downtown to meet with friends and police aren’t properly trained to enforce the proposal.

Council also decided today to delay a vote on ordinances on residential garbage-collection rules and restricting the amount of trash that could be placed curbside without an additional fee.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com