Council makes cruising prohibition official law

November 29, 2000

Council makes cruising prohibition official law

By DAN KULIN / Staff Writer

Hoping to curb some of the nighttime traffic in downtown Hagerstown, the City Council gave final approval Tuesday to a law prohibiting cruising on some of the city's main streets.

The council voted 3-1 to pass the anti-cruising law, which goes into effect Dec. 29.

Councilman Lewis C. Metzner voted against the law.

During previous council meetings, Metzner has said the law seems to ban a legal activity in an attempt to catch criminals, and he would prefer finding other ways to discourage cruising around downtown.

Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II has said one reason the law is needed is that those cruising the streets provide good cover for those in the market for illegal drugs.

Bruchey also has said the law will improve the quality of life for downtown residents by eliminating or reducing the noise caused by cruisers.

The law prohibits cruising along East Franklin and East Washington streets between Potomac Street and Cleveland Avenue from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Cruising is defined as driving past a point in the designated area three or more times during a two-hour period. Those caught cruising could be fined as much as $250.

The anti-cruising law includes a "sunset" provision and will expire Oct. 1, 2002.

Councilwoman Susan Saum-Wicklein, who suggested the law include a sunset provision, has said that if the law doesn't work it will expire on its own, and if the law works the council can make it permanent.

Councilman Alfred W. Boyer did not attend the Tuesday meeting.

The Hagerstown anti-cruising law is modeled after a similar law in Chambersburg, Pa.

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