It is a civil violation for any person, firm or corporation, either as owner, employee or otherwise, controlling, operating, or in charge of any engine, car or train of cars, to cause or permit such engine, car or train of cars, or any portion of such train, to stand or to be moved in, along or across any public street in the city, in such manner as to prevent for a period of five minutes or longer, any person or motor vehicle from crossing the track or tracks on which such engine, car, train or train of cars is standing or are being moved. (Prior code § 12-2-13)