Curfew for juveniles under 16 became effective Wednesday

Thursday, July 02, 2009 3:00 AM |

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Salisbury's new curfew for juveniles under the age of 16 took effect Wednesday, though police won't start enforcing the law until all officers complete training sometime next week.

Under the curfew, youth under the age of 16 won't be allowed in public places without a parent or guardian between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and from midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Once the curfew is being enforced, the city says, police officers will approach an apparent curfew offender and obtain the youth's age and reason for being in a public place during the restricted hours.

If a curfew violation has occurred, a juvenile contact report or complaint will be filed, and the juvenile will be removed from the area and taken into custody. Police will contact the youth's parents or guardians, and they will be required to meet with the officer, who is allowed to release the curfew violator only into their custody.

The violators will be subject to referral by complaint to the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Parents and guardians of youth who violate the curfew can be found guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a $100 fine, as can businesses.

The owner, operator or employee of a business who allows juveniles to remain on the premises during restricted hours will be in violation of the ordinance.

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