This chapter shall be known as the "Curfew Ordinance
of 1975."
The Supervisors of the Township of Independence,
being cognizant of the problem of juvenile delinquency and believing
that it can be dealt with more effectively by regulating the hours
during which minors less than 18 years of age may remain in public
places and certain establishments without adult supervision and by
defining more clearly certain duties and responsibilities upon those
who have the custody and responsibility for the care of such minors,
directs that in the administration and enforcement of this chapter
the fundamental purpose of reducing juvenile delinquency shall be
foremost.
In this chapter the following definitions shall
apply:
AFTER HOURS
The period of time each night specified below:
A.
In this chapter the time shall be construed
to mean no later than from the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Eastern
standard time when that time is in effect in the Township of Independence
and daylight saving time when that time is in effect in the Township
of Independence.
ESTABLISHMENT
Any privately owned place of business, any place of amusement
or entertainment to which the public is invited and any similar place.
MINOR or MINORS
Any person less than 18 years of age. For the purpose of
this chapter any person shall be deemed to be 18 years of age on the
date of his or her eighteenth birthday and not before that time.
OPERATOR
Any individual, firm, association, partnership or corporation,
owning, operating, managing or conducting any establishment; and whenever
used in any clause prescribing a penalty the word "operator" as applied
to association or partnership shall include the members, partners,
officers and managers thereof or any of them and as applied to corporations,
shall include officers and managers thereof or any of them.
PARENT
The natural parent or guardian or adult person 21 years of
age or over, responsible for the custody or care of any minor.
PUBLIC PLACE
Any public street, highway, road, alley, park, playground,
vacant lot, public building, railway station, bus terminal or similar
place.
REMAIN
Loiter, idle, wander, stroll, play or be.
It shall be unlawful for any minor to remain
in or upon any public place or establishment in the Township of Independence
after hours unless accompanied by a parent or upon an errand of other
legitimate business directed by a parent or unless engaged in gainful,
lawful employment after hours, in which case said minor shall carry
written identification and evidence of employment.
It shall be unlawful for any operator of an
establishment knowingly to permit any minor to remain in or upon the
premises of said establishment after hours.
Each violation of the provisions of this chapter
shall constitute a separate offense.
The Chief of Police is hereby authorized from
time to time to promulgate such rules and regulations including the
extension of hours for special occasions, as in his sole and uncontrolled
discretion shall be necessary or useful in the enforcement of this
chapter.