Winder City Council Discusses Proposed Curfew for Juveniles

Before schools dismiss students for summer break, a curfew for juveniles could be in place within the city of Winder.  

City council members discussed a proposed juvenile curfew ordinance during a work session Monday, April 2, 2012. 

City Administrator Donald Toms presented a rough draft of the ordinance, which would prohibit those 16 and younger from loitering, wandering, strolling or playing in or upon public places between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. 

Exceptions would be made for minors traveling to and from school-related events, religious activities and work. 

Under the proposed ordinance, parents or guardians could be held responsible for knowingly allowing minors to break curfew, and business owners could be held accountable for knowingly allowing minors to remain in their establishments from midnight to 6 a.m. 

“Is this a problem in our city?” Councilman Sonny Morris, who represents Ward 1, asked Winder Police Chief Dennis Dorsey.

“It becomes more of a problem during the summer when you don’t have school functions,” Dorsey said. “In certain neighborhoods, it is an issue.”

Councilman Bob Dixon said he knew of an issue that had arisen in which a resident on Stephens Street called police to report youth being out on the street late at night. 

A final draft of the proposed ordinance is expected to come before the council at its May meeting

"That way it would be in place for the summer,” Toms said. 

Do you think a city government-enforced curfew for juveniles is a good idea? Why or why not? Tell us in comments.