MontCo seeks to stop loitering, 'prowling'

Montgomery County lawmakers are considering a bill prohibiting loitering and “prowling” — a measure some are touting as an alternative to the proposed youth curfew. Sponsored by Councilmen George Leventhal, D-at large, and Phil Andrews, D-Gaithersburg/Rockville, the measure would prohibit anyone from being in public “at a time or in a manner not usual for law-abiding persons under circumstances that warrant a justifiable and reasonable alarm or immediate concern.”

It is modeled after a similar law in Georgia and is identical to a Florida law, said Andrews, who has been a vocal opponent of the curfew. Both laws have been upheld in court.