Gang sign ordinance hearing rescheduled

EPHRATA — A public hearing on a proposed change to a Grant County ordinance aimed at gang signs is being delayed.

The hearing was scheduled for Monday, but commissioners plan to postpone it to Dec. 28 at 11 a.m. after receiving a request from the prosecutor’s office.

The hearing is being held in the commissioners’ hearing room on the second floor of the Grant County Courthouse.

Commissioner Cindy Carter said Prosecutor Angus Lee and Civil Deputy Prosecutor Lee Pence asked for the delay to change some of the wording, but not the intention of the proposal.

The proposed change adds a section to the disorderly conduct ordinance aimed at punishing people using words, signs or gestures to provoke assault. People convicted of the crime face a possible jail sentence of between 10 days and one year in jail. The sentence can be converted to community service at a rate of eight hours for each day. It would be added to any simultaneous convictions.

Ephrata and Quincy police departments requested the change, asking the county to create an ordinance making signaling rival gang members a criminal offense. Quincy Mayor Jim Hemberry, police Chief Richard Ackerman and Ephrata police Chief Mike Warren all stated using gang signs is usually a precursor to violence.

For more information, contact the commissioners at 509-754-2011.