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Kansas City May Ban Public Urination

Posted on: Thursday, 26 February 2004, 06:00 CST

Answering nature's call in a public space may be distasteful and a public health threat, but it's not illegal in Kansas City - yet.

City officials are trying to change that.

City Attorney Galen Beaufort has proposed a new ordinance that would make it a crime to urinate or defecate on sidewalks or in alleys and parks, or elsewhere in public view.

Beaufort said the only current way to prosecute that particular kind of offense is with a charge of indecent exposure, which doesn't always work because obtaining a conviction requires proof of intent.

Violators of the proposed ordinance would be hit with a fine of between $50 and $500, and possibly jail time.

Beaufort emphasized the law would not punish people with a genuine excretory emergency - people can win an exception to the law if they are unable to control their bodily functions due to illness, disease, infection or physical infirmity. The defense won't work if the person has used illegal drugs or is drunk.

The council is expected to vote on the measure March 4 - just in time for the city's St. Patrick's Day Parade.

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