Why is it wrong to loiter?

[Anonymous]

In some cases it's illegal, but why is it so bad to loiter?

[BeMuse]

When it is of concern, it's because it is suspected to be associated with other criminal behavior. So for example if a pedophile is standing outside of an elementary school fence ogling the little kids with dirty looks, then a cop might tell them to move along as a preventative measure to stop a possible crime of indecent exposure, kidnapping, sexual assault, etc. Another situation would be if a women is standing on a corner dressed like a prostitute trying to show herself off for sale to potential Johns. She may not have committed the crime yet, but the intent is there. If you are trespassing on private property and you have been asked to leave, then that should be an obvious one. People have private property rights. If it is not your property then you have to respect their rights. Other possibilities would be if you are presenting suspicious behavior like you are casing a place for a robbery trying to evaluate security measures, camera locations, alarm system wires, etc. Maybe a riot is occurring and the police are trying to calm the situation and they order you to disperse. If you fail to follow instruction then you standing around becomes a problem. Cops might also ask kids to move along if they are under the impression that they are standing in from of a store soliciting adults to purchase them alcohol when they are under age. Overall it is a crime prevention strategy to ask people to move along. You're not going to get hit with loitering if you're not doing something else and you listen to instructions.

[OlderAndWiser]

On an isoltaed basis, loitering does not inherently cause harm. However, when allowed to occur, excessive loitering can cause sidewalks to become impassable, block entrrances to businesses, and loitering is quite often a precursor to oher illegal activity. Banning loitering is a preventative measure.

[Asker]

So, doing something illegal, by doing nothing?

Next thing you know they'll ban breathing

[WonderBell99]

@OlderAndWiser may have an answer to this question.

I'm not sure why it is considered "wrong" to loiter. It may be in schools, universities etc especially when you have classes going on, but I'm not sure about why it is so to loiter in the streets.

[OlderAndWiser]

Thanks for the mention.