Jeannette's curfew ordinance update put on hold as officials fine-tune it

Jeannette officials are reworking a proposed update of a curfew ordinance to take into consideration a reduction of fine amounts, among other issues, according to solicitor Tim Witt.

The proposal was rejected this week with Councilwomen Robin Mozley and Michelle Langdon and Councilman Chad Krawtz casting the dissenting votes.

“It’s going to be worked on and brought up in the future,” city clerk Benjamin Walker said.

About a dozen members of the public spoke during the meeting about the ordinance, which was reviewed by council during a work session earlier in the week. Some members of council wanted time to address those concerns and take another look at the proposed ordinance, which last was updated in 1943.

Police have been having problems with children out late at night. The curfew for anyone 17 and younger is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The current antiquated ordinance calls for a $10 fine for children and a $25 penalty for adults who permit the child to break curfew. The proposed ordinance rejected during Thursday’s meeting carried a fine of $50 to $300 for the first offense; $150 to $500 for the second offense; and $250 to $1,000 for third offenses. The fine would apply to a minor or parent.

Witt said officials could look at reducing the upper limits for the fines.

“The upper limit was something for discussion,” he said.

So was language that would allow police to connect a child to social services, if appropriate. Witt said that was intended to mean help for children who might benefit from counseling or are dealing with school or home issues. The revision will go into more detail about how to get curfew scofflaws help they might need, he said.

“It’s an important step forward just to make sure we’re updating it to help the police deal with an issue that’s clearly been identified in the community,” Witt said.

Under the proposed ordinance, there were exceptions to the curfew, such as if a minor is accompanied by a parent or involved in an emergency, at a neighbor’s home with permission, attending a public, school or religious event or going to or from work, among other reasons.

Council might address it again at its August work session. The ordinance requires two affirmative votes to be officially on the books before police could begin enforcing it.