LOS ANGELES \u2014 The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to move forward with repealing a city law that one member of the panel described as \u201cuncommonly silly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a 14-0 vote, the council voted to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance to repeal Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 56.16, which essentially makes playing catch on some residential streets or sidewalks punishable by a fine and jail time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The section of the law at issue states, \u201cNo person shall play ball or any game of sport with a ball or football or throw, cast, shoot or discharge any stone, pellet, bullet, arrow or any other missile, in, over, across, along or upon any street or sidewalk or in any public park, except on those portions of said part set apart for such purposes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Violators, according to the law, could be fined up to $1,000 and face up to six months in jail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his motion to repeal the law, council member Bob Blumenfield wrote, \u201cIn the City of Los Angeles, it is a crime, punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in jail, for a parent to play catch with their child on the sidewalk in front of their house, or for children to play a pickup game of football or kick a soccer ball around on any quiet residential street or even in many public parks\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is an uncommonly silly law,” he continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blumenfield said other activities listed in the code section, like firing a weapon, are already prohibited by other laws. The section was believed to have been enacted in 1945.<\/p>\n\n\n\n