[Ord. 899, 7/10/2006]
The Town of Bloomsburg, recognizing the problem of crimes committed
by and against juveniles between certain hours, and believing that
such crimes can be dealt with more effectively by regulating the hours
during which minors less than 17 years of age may remain in public
places and certain establishments without adult supervision, hereby
enacts this Part for the purpose of promoting the general welfare
and protecting the general public through reduction of juvenile violence
and crime within the Town of Bloomsburg, promoting the safety and
welfare of the Town's citizens under the age of 17 whose youth
and inexperience renders them particularly vulnerable to becoming
participants in criminal activity and in being victimized by perpetrators
of crime.
[Ord. 899, 7/10/2006]
In this Part, the following definitions shall apply.
AFTER HOURS
The period of time between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00
a.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights into Friday mornings and between
the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
EMERGENCY
Refers to unforeseen circumstances, or the status or condition
resulting therefrom, requiring immediate action to safeguard life,
limb, or property. The term includes, but is not limited to, fires,
natural disasters, automobile accidents, or other similar circumstances.
MINOR
Any person less than 17 years of age. For the purpose of
this Part, any person shall be deemed to be 17 years of age on the
date of his or her 17th birthday and not before said date.
PARENT
The biological or adoptive parent of a minor or a legal guardian,
or an adult 21 years of age or over, who is authorized by a minor's
parent or legal guardian to be responsible, either temporarily or
permanently, for the custody or care of any minor or for the control
of such minor.
PUBLIC PLACE
Any public street, highway, road, parking lot, alley, park,
play-ground, vacant lot or any private building or structure to which
the public is invited or in which the public is allowed to remain.
REMAIN
To be at or stay at a place.
[Ord. 899, 7/10/2006]
It shall be unlawful for a minor to remain in or upon any public
place or to remain in any motor vehicle operating or parked therein
or thereon in the Town of Bloomsburg between the hours of 11:00 p.m.
and 6:00 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights into Friday mornings
and between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Saturday and
Sunday mornings, except as follows:
A. The minor is accompanied by a parent.
B. The minor is involved in an emergency.
C. The minor is involved in an activity related to his or her employment
or is going to or returning home from such activity without detour
or stopping.
D. The minor is on the sidewalk directly abutting a place where he or
she resides with a parent.
E. The minor is attending an activity sponsored by a school, religious
or civic organization, public organization or agency, or by another
similar organization or entity which activity is supervised by adults
and he or she is going to or returning from such activity without
detour or stopping.
F. The minor is on an errand at the direction of his or her parent and
the minor has on their possession a written note from their parent
authorizing the errand.
G. The minor is emancipated.
[Ord. 899, 7/10/2006]
No parent, guardian or other person having legal custody or care of any minor under 17 years of age shall allow or permit such minor to be in or upon any of the streets, alleys or public places in the Town of Bloomsburg between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights into Friday mornings and between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings, subject to the exceptions set forth in §
8-803 above.
[Ord. 899, 7/10/2006]
The Bloomsburg Police Department shall have the authority to
enforce this Part.