Cheektowaga, NY Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

' Cheektowaga does not separately criminalize loitering as personal conduct; the Town Code folds loitering into its civil nuisance-abatement scheme alongside illegal drug activity, prostitution, illegal gambling, and unlicensed alcohol sales. Under § 172-4 and § 172-5, two or more criminal convictions, arrests, or other qualifying incidents connected to loitering at the same property within a two-year period create prima facie evidence that the property is a public nuisance. Once that evidence exists, § 172-6 authorizes the Town Attorney to file a civil action in Erie County Supreme Court naming the property itself as a defendant by tax map number or address.

If the court finds a public nuisance, § 172-7 allows a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each day the nuisance continued after the Town gave notice to abate, and §§ 172-8 through 172-9 let the court grant a permanent injunction and direct the Cheektowaga Police Department to close the building for up to one year. Section 172-12 also gives the Town Attorney an administrative-hearing track before a three-member panel appointed by the Building Commissioner, Chief of Police, and Town Supervisor, as an alternative to going straight to court.