[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of North Versailles 7-15-1974 by Ord. No. 697 (Ch. 6, Part 1, of the 1987 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Peace and good order — See Ch. 210.
[Amended 6-12-1978 by Ord. No. 749]
It shall hereinafter be unlawful for boys and girls 16 years of age and under (such persons hereinafter are defined for purposes of this chapter as "children") to be or remain in or about or upon any of the streets, alleys, parks, public places or places of public convenience in the Township of North Versailles after the hour of 9:00 p.m. prevailing time. During the period of time from June 1 to August 31 of each year, it shall not be lawful for such persons to be in and about public places subsequent to 10:00 p.m. prevailing time. It shall not be a violation of this chapter if such child is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult person having legal custody of such child, or where such other reasonable explanation is found in the sole discretion of the juvenile officer or police personnel of the Township of North Versailles. As a warning, a bell, horn, or other device may be sounded at 15 minutes before the established curfew hour, to be known as the "Curfew Warning," after which all such children shall be required to be at home or off the streets except as herein provided. The curfew hour must be observed and complied with whether a curfew warning is sounded or not, the sounding of the curfew being a matter of convenience at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners.
It is hereby made unlawful for any parent, guardian or other person having the legal care or custody of any of the children above designated to allow or permit any such child, ward or other person under such age, while in such legal custody, to go or be in or upon any streets, alleys, parks, or public places in said Township after the time prohibited in § 130-1 of this chapter, except as therein provided.
[Amended 6-12-1978 by Ord. No. 749; 11-16-1987 by Ord. No. 857; and 8-15-1988 by Ord. No. 867]
Any child as above designated found upon the Township streets, alleys, parks, or public places within the Township, in violation of § 130-1 of this chapter, shall be taken into custody by the Township police and delivered to his or her parents, guardian, or person having the legal custody of said child, and report thereof made immediately to the Secretary of the Township of North Versailles, who shall make a record thereof in a book to be kept for that purpose. If said parent, guardian or person having the legal custody of said child shall again allow him or her to be on said streets, alleys, parks or public places in violation of § 130-1 of this chapter, said parent, guardian or person having the legal custody of said child so offending shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $600 and/or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 30 days and a like fine or imprisonment shall be imposed on any person aiding or abetting in the violation of the intent and purpose of this chapter.
Said children who shall violate this chapter more than three times shall be reported to a society or organization whose purpose is to take charge of incorrigibles and delinquents and proceedings be then taken in the Juvenile Court of Allegheny County for their permanent welfare, and a like procedure shall be taken in cases where the arrest of the parent or guardian shall not be effective, or where for any other reasons the provisions of § 130-1 of this chapter cannot be made effective by fines and penalties imposed thereunder.
The police officers of the Township in taking children into custody shall use their discretion in determining age, and in doubtful cases may require positive proof, and until such proof is furnished, the officer's judgment shall prevail.