In mid-July a "Generally Binding Ordinance on securing local affairs of public order and improving the town’s appearance" took effect in the Czech town of Bílina. The ordinance names activities that are banned because they could disturb public order or contravene good morals, the protection of public health, property and safety, or because they could disturb the town’s aesthetic appearance.
The activities including placing armchairs, benches, chairs, cookstoves, grills, smokehouses, tables, etc. in public spaces and using them without the written consent of the property owner. The ordinance also bans sitting on building elements or parts of constructions not designed for seating, such as barriers or partitions, railings, stairs, etc.
It is only possible to sit on benches or other equipment designed for resting and sitting that has been either directly installed in the space by the owner or for which the owner has given written permission. The aim of the ban is to prevent disruption of public order and disturbance of civil coexistence in the town and its public spaces and to improve the town’s appearance.
The ban does not apply to the entire territory of Bílina, but only applies to Žižkovo Square and Mírové Square in the center, the Mostecké suburb, the U Nového nádraží housing estate in the Teplické suburb, the so-called Panel Housing Estate between the Bílinská Highway and Teplická Street, the SHD housing estate and the Za chlumem housing estate. Article 5 of the ordinance bans sitting in those places and only permits such activities "on benches and other equipment designed for resting and sitting that has been installed by the owner of the public area (or installed with his written consent). On any other parts of buildings, equipment or objects installed by the owner of the public space (or with his written consent) such activity is permitted only with the written consent of the owner of the public space."
A similar ordinance banning sitting on partitions and palisades or grilling in public areas that are precisely described was issued by the town of Duchcov in March of this year. "The ordinance should introduce order. I see no reason why people should hold picnics and such things in the streets. That’s wrong, no one would like that in any town," Mayor Zbyněk Šimbera told the Czech News Agency at the time.
That ordinance took effect in large segments of the town, including troubled localities. "It can’t be applied across the board, but we did our best to include as many streets as possible," the mayor explained.
Similar ordinances also apply in other towns. The first town to introduce one in 2010 was Litvínov, and similar ones have been adopted by Krupka and Rotava.
Critics of the ordinances believe they target Romani residents. Mayor Šimbera, however, rejected that opinion, claiming: "The ordinance is against those who cause disturbances, it can’t be perceived as only applying to Roma. We consulted it with the Interior Ministry prior to adopting it and the ministry said it is in order."
