Skip to content
The Archive of The Carrboro Citizen
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Community
  • Schools
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • Mill
  • Flora
  • Print Archive
  • About
Menu

Town passes anti-lingering ordinance

Posted on November 29, 2007 by Staff

By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer

After a lengthy discussion, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen last week passed an anti-lingering ordinance meant to curtail activity near a day labor pickup site at the corner of Davie Road and Jones Ferry Road.

The board voted four to one to approve the ordinance, which was requested by police as a way to prevent the site from continuing to be used as a hangout. Residents in the area have complained to the town that public urination, drinking and verbal harrasment of female passersby are a common occurence at the location.

Alderman John Herrera was the lone vote against the ordinance. Herrera said that while the problems cited are serious and should be addressed the ordinance would have the effect of singling out Latinos. Herrera said he did not think Carrboro should be counted among the towns passing legislation aimed at members of the immigrant community.

The board also heard from former Alderman Mark Dorosin who said the law was “constitutionally suspect” and could be challenged on civil liberty grounds in the same way loitering ordinances have been challenged in other jurisdictions.

Mayor Mark Chilton said he supported the new ordinance, but understood Dorosin and Herrera’s concerns. Chilton said he was confident that the new ordinance was specific enough to address the neighborhood’s concerns without impinging on civil liberties of Latinos and others. He noted that it is only in effect from 11 a.m. to 5 a.m. and would not interfere with those seeking work as day laborers.

At the suggestion of board member Jacquie Gist, the ordinance will be reviewed in a year.

Web Archive

© 2025 The Archive of The Carrboro Citizen | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme