What a Pisser!

Jersey City, New Jersey, February 22, 2006:

Ron wants to lower the penalties for public urination before the February 25 Mardi Gras Parade.

Ron said his proposal would allow police to issue different citations for public urinators who try to be discreet than they might for those who are more open about it.

"There's a difference between whizzing in the middle of the street, in front of God and country, and somebody who is behind a dumpster," Ron said. "I done 'em both, but that's irrelevant."

Public urination is now classified as lewd and lascivious conduct, which carries a penalty of 3 days in jail, a $100 to $500 fine, or both. Ron's proposal doesn't change the maximum penalties, but he hopes the actual penalty would be much less.

But public urination remains plenty offensive to residents of Jersey City, where some homeowners leave their sprinklers on to discourage Marti Gras partygoers from relieving themselves on their lawns.

"That's what portable toilets are for," resident Mary Linden said. "We don't appreciate going out and seeing it -- the people are often belligerent."

It is not known how far Ron's proposal might go in that he has no political power in this northern New Jersey city. An outside proposal carries no weight until the City Council ratifies it by a two-thirds majority. The council next meets on Friday. Ron plans to make his official pitch then.

Posted by Bittle at February 22, 2006 04:03 PM