'Pooping' in Public Among New Ordinances Adopted by Town Council

You can no longer poop in public in Barrington.

What, you thought it was illegal already. 

Nope and the lack of a law against defecating or urinating in public saved a New Bedford man from being charged with pooping near a Hamilton Avenue home when nature called last Friday afternoon, June 28. He was working nearby and a neighbor spotted him and called the police.

“I don’t think he could hold it any longer,” said Barrington Police Chief John LaCross. 

The new ordinance was among a variety of disorderly conduct, alcohol possession, and peddling and soliciting ordinances approved by the Town Council at its meeting on Monday night, July 1. The new law specifically prohibits urinating or defecating in public in Barrington.

The new ordinance reads: “No person acting alone or in concert with others shall: … (F) Urinate or defecate on any public street, alley or sidewalk or the floor of any public place or public building where the public has the right to gather or which it has access.” 

The penalty for violating the ordinance is a fine of up to $100, 30 hours of community service or a 30-day jail sentence. 

All of the ordinances amended Monday night were adopted as Barrington prepares to launch its Municipal Court this month. The town ordinances now match state statutes, said Town Solicitor Mike Ursillo.

Barrington’s first Municipal Court judge, Barrington attorney Francis “Frank” Connor, and its first bailiff, Joseph Pine Jr., a Barrington police officer from 1975 to 2002, were sworn in at the meeting.

They are prepared to hold the first session of the Municipal Court on July 18 in Town Hall if there are cases to be heard, said Town Councilor Cynthia Coyne, who has been guiding the creation of the court. She swore in Connor Monday night.

“If there are no cases,” Coyne said, “the first session will be held at a later date.”

Among the other disorderly conduct ordinances adopted by the Town Council Monday are making it unlawful to “engage in any fight or brawl or act in an intimidating or tumultuous manner toward another person …” “throw any object upon or at any person, vehicle, building, tree sign or other private property with the intent to do bodily harm or physical damage,” and “engage in conduct which obstructs or interferes physically or verbally with a lawful meeting, processing or gathering.”