The municipal ordinance that contemplates the prohibition of the use of knives and firearms in public spaces in Guayaquil contains 14 articles, three general provisions and two transitory provisions.
The text of this so-called Citizen Security and Coexistence Coordination Ordinance was approved in a first debate by the Guayaquil Cantonal Council and is promoted in an attempt to curb crime and improve security levels in the city.
For the approval of this ordinance, a report from the Guayaquil Citizen Security Corporation was taken into account, which indicates that among the main problems related to common crime and violent deaths is the carrying of white weapons, circulation of vehicles without plates , consumption of controlled substances in public spaces, the sale of alcoholic beverages in public spaces, the offer of sexual services and excessive noise in homes.
Guayaquil will prohibit the carrying of all types of weapons in public spaces; ordinance will include bladed weapons and firearms without authorization
Hence, in the ordinance that is sought to be approved, in addition to the prohibition of weapons, other topics such as the consumption of alcohol on public roads are included.
Mayor Cynthia Viteri indicated that this ordinance goes beyond the control of bladed weapons, because it includes provisions for schools.
He said that private establishments must have panic buttons to be able to alert situations that put students at risk.
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These are the main issues addressed by the ordinance:
Carrying firearms without permits
The draft ordinance includes the prohibition of firearms in public spaces without the proper authorization issued by the competent bodies. When a person is detected with an illegal weapon, the agents will arrest him and hand him over to the Police.
These apprehensions may occur when they are caught in flagrante delicto, contraventions or infractions.
The ordinance will establish a fine of five basic salaries ($ 2,125), without prejudice to criminal actions.
Carrying of white weapons
The ordinance prohibits carrying white weapons, such as knives, razors and daggers, in public spaces. Bladed weapons that serve as work tools will be exempt from this regulation, but the bearer must justify their use by showing documents, such as a work or artisan card.
People who carry knives without justification must pay a fine of a basic salary ($ 425).
Prohibition of sale of alcoholic beverages in public spaces
The ordinance includes the prohibition of the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in public spaces, establishments and massive cantonal events that do not have municipal authorization.
Alcoholic beverages may only be sold in authorized spaces, for which they must have operating and occupation permits for public thoroughfares.
Persons or businesses that fail to comply with the provision, either by the sale of alcoholic beverages on public roads or the sale without proper authorization, will be sanctioned with a basic salary ($425), without prejudice to closure.
Prohibition of consumption and sale of controlled substances in public spaces
The ordinance includes the prohibition of consumption and sale of controlled substances in public spaces, establishments or events of mass attendance.
When the agents identify a person who is consuming narcotic substances, a report will be made to be sent to a police station to open an administrative file.
If intoxicated people are found in public spaces, they will be transferred to medical assistance points.
For noncompliance, the offender will pay a fine of one basic salary ($425) and two basic salaries when he is a repeat offender. In localities that allow the consumption of controlled substances, a fine of three salaries will be imposed.
When the offender is a minor, the fine will be imposed on their parents or guardian.
Prevention and sanction of noise from homes
The ordinance prohibits the neighborhood or place of habitation from being disturbed or allowing calm with sounds or noise from activities, parties, meetings or similar events that affect the coexistence of the neighborhood, when they generate annoyance due to their auditory impact, which exceed the permitted levels. Failure to comply with this can be penalized with two basic salaries ($850).
Complementary security in educational institutions
Informal commercial activities will be prohibited within a radius of 200 meters from educational entities. Private educational entities must also have a panic button.
They must also have a private security guard in each educational institution. Failure to comply will be sanctioned with a fine of a basic salary. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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