This is a Curfew Ordinance prescribing, in accordance with prevailing
community standards, regulations for the conduct of minors on streets at night,
for the protection of younger children in the Borough from each other and
from other persons on the streets during nighttime hours, for the enforcement
of parental control and responsibility for their children, for the protection
of the public from nocturnal mischief by minors and for the reduction of the
incident of juvenile criminal activity, all for the good of minors, for the
furtherance of family responsibility, and for the public good, safety and
welfare.
It is hereby made unlawful for any parent, guardian or the person having
the legal care or custody of a minor to allow or permit such minor to violate
any of the provisions of this chapter without legal justification therefor.
Any minor found upon the streets, alleys, parks or public places within the Borough of Coudersport in violation of §
140-3 shall be taken into custody by the Borough of Coudersport police or legally deputized individual, be delivered to his parent(s), guardian or person having the legal custody of said minor, and be given a copy of this chapter. A report shall be filed and kept in a book for that specific purpose. If said parent, guardian or person having the legal custody of said minor shall again allow him to be on the streets, alleys, parks or public places in violation of §
140-3, said parent, guardian, or person having the legal custody of said minor so offending shall, upon the second such incident, said parent, guardian or person will be remanded to the District Justice for disposition.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon
conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300, or to
imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days or both.
Any minor who shall violate this chapter more than three times may, at the discretion of the proper Borough of Coudersport officials, be reported to a society or organization the purpose of which is to take charge of incorrigibles and delinquents, and proceedings shall then be taken in the proper court for the permanent welfare of such minor and a like procedure may be taken in cases where the arrest of the parent is not effective, or where for any other reason the provisions of §
140-3 of this chapter cannot be made effective by the imposition of fines and penalties.
The police officers of the Borough of Coudersport in taking minors into
custody shall use their discretion in determining age and in doubtful cases
may require positive proof of age. Until such proof is furnished, the officer's
judgment shall prevail.