Newburgh to crack down on people who relieve themselves in public

NEWBURGH – City officials in Newburgh hope to curb the practice of public urination and defecation by amending the health and sanitation code.
Pastor Rosey Andrews of the Northeast Gateway to Freedom Kid’s Initiative said this practice has been an issue for years, but it has become an inappropriate display for children in the program.
“Mostly it’s been people that will drive up to the local store and buy the paper and just decide that they’re going to urinate in front of, or on the side, of the buildings,” Andrews said. “You would think it was just because we have a few homeless people, and yes, some of the homeless people do the same thing – actually pull their pants down. The kids in the Kid’s Initiative get to watch this beautiful sight.”
The council was unanimous in its support of the code change, but Councilwoman Jeannie Abrams suggested that because the act of publicly relieving oneself so inappropriate, the minimum proposed fine of $250 should be increased to $500.
“We have a littering law in the city now, thank God, that’s $500 for the first offense. If your dog goes on city property, or somebody else’s property, the penalty for that is $500,” said Abrams. “This, to me, is even worse. It’s more disgusting and should carry a very dramatic penalty.”
With that, the council passed the amended resolution, amending the change once more, to dictate a first offense having a minimum fine of $500 and a maximum of $1,000. Each time an individual offends, the fine increases, but it does not become a criminal offense.
Although Mayor Judy Kennedy said it will require additional conversation on the matter, the council has supported the DPW putting up signs in problem areas displaying the warning of a fine for those who believe it is ok to publicly relieve themselves.