Burbank to Look at a Law Covering States of Undress

Burbank will never become the Naked City, if City Council members get their way.

The City Council is scheduled to address undress in the city Tuesday when it considers an ordinance that would make it illegal to appear nude in public--for any reason.

Under existing city law, Burbank can only prohibit public nudity or disrobing that is sexual in nature. With people who walk nude down the street, sunbathe in parks or “streak,” city police can do little more than ask them to put on proper attire.

Assistant City Atty. Terry B. Stevenson said the ordinance was partially inspired by a streaker who ran naked down an alley late last year. Although police arrested the man, they were unable to file charges because he had not committed a crime, Stevenson said.

“He hadn’t broken any law so the police had to let him go,” Stevenson said. “Situations like this had happened at times in the past, so we wanted to get something on the lawbooks before it became a real problem.

“Otherwise, a colony of nudists could show up one day at McCambridge Park and there would not be anything we could do about it.”

Police said four streakers were arrested last year. “These folks were not psycho or anything, and it was very frustrating for our officers when they saw someone walking nude down the street and they couldn’t do anything,” said Capt. James Gibson.

However, police say there’s no trend toward nudity in Burbank. “It’s not like there’s an epidemic,” said Police Chief Glen Bell.

State law prevents indecent exposure or lewd conduct with sexual intent, and a city ordinance requires waiters and waitresses to wear clothes while serving customers. These laws also regulate live nude shows of a sexual nature.

If approved by the council, the law would become effective March 10. The maximum penalty for the misdemeanor offense would be a $1,000 fine or six months in county jail--clothed, of course.