Lilburn Passes Juvenile Curfew Ordinance
Ordinance passes unanimously at the July 9 City Council Meeting.
Ordinance #438-12 adds to existing articles and codes of ordinances of the City of Lilburn providing for a curfew for juveniles and outlines penalties for violations. The intent of the ordinance is to reduce the number of crimes committed by and against minors in the late night/early morning hours.
Mayor Johnny Crist explained that the ordinance will assist law enforcement by allowing officers the right to stop and question juveniles not in their homes in the hours after curfew: Sunday - Thursday 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. and Friday and Saturdays from 11:59 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
"The primary intent of the ordinance is the concern for juveniles," explained Mayor Crist. "Police need this layer for the legal permission to stop and question children" who are out beyond curfew hours.
Chief Hedley explained that the intent was not punitive, but to get children back home safely and let their parents know they were out. "The first time, they are taken home and we notify the parents." The first offense results in a warning, subsequent violations are dealt with a citation; after that there is a potential of arrest. Considerations are given for circumstances that are work or school related.
A juvenile is anyone under the age of 18 - "age 17 and younger" - and the ordinance went into effect immediately upon its passage.
Niki
10:01 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Again, Government sticking their noses in where it don't belong. It should be up to the parents as to what time the curfew is for their children.
Laura N'Cognito
10:50 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Well, if parents were doing the right thing with their children maybe the govt wouldn't have to step in. Do you not realize what they're saying if the stats tell you who is out up to no good that there is a problem and who the problem is with? Maybe if parents held their children accountable and taught them values and responsibilty...the govt would'nt have to take such measures. Duh.
Gail Moore
11:08 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The main intent with this ordinance, as I understand, is the safety of those juveniles who are out and about - and probably without the parent's knowledge. The ordinance doesn't demand a bed-time, just that the police now have the authority to question our young citizens if they are out during the specified hours, and to give them a ride home to their parents if necessary.
Elaine Hazelrigs Manross
12:41 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
This isn't new to Metro Atlanta. I'm 62 years old and the City of Atlanta and DeKalb enacted this when I was in elementary school.