[Ord. No. 385, 8/11/1976,
§ 1]
This Part shall be known and may be cited as the "Curfew Ordinance."
[Ord. No. 385, 8/11/1976,
§ 2]
1. This Part prescribes, in accordance with prevailing community standards,
regulations for the conduct of minors on streets at night, effectively
enforced, taught in the homes, internalized and adhered to for generations,
all for the good of minors, for the furtherance of family responsibility,
and for the public good, safety and welfare.
2. Council finds that the adoption of a curfew ordinance meets a very
real local need and will constitute a significant factor in minimizing
juvenile delinquency. A community sense of the proper time for cessation
of outdoor activities by minors on the streets is reflected in the
curfew hours declared by this Part, which takes into consideration
the danger hours for nocturnal crime and for accumulations of minors
with potential risks incident to immaturity.
[Ord. No. 385, 8/11/1976,
§ 3]
For the purposes of this Part 4, the following terms, phrases,
words, and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein.
When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present
tense include the future, words in the plural number include the singular
and words in the singular number include the plural. The word "shall"
is always mandatory and not merely directory.
BOROUGH
The Borough of Wesleyville, Erie County, Pennsylvania, with
administrative offices at 3421 Buffalo Road, Wesleyville, Pennsylvania
16510.
MINOR
Any person under the age of 18, or, in equivalent phrasing
often herein employed, any person 17 or less years of age.
PARENT
Any person having legal custody of a minor as a natural or
adoptive parent, as a legal guardian, as a person who stands in loco
parentis or as a person to whom legal custody has been given by order
of court.
REMAIN
To stay behind, to tarry and to stay unnecessarily upon the streets, including the congregating of groups (or of interacting minors) totaling four or more persons in which any minor involved would not be using the streets for ordinary or serious purposes such as mere passage or going home. To implement that thought with additional precision and precaution, numerous exceptions are expressly defined in §
6-405 so that this is not a mere prohibitory or presence-type curfew ordinance. More and more exceptions become available with increasing years and advancing maturity as appropriate in the interest of reasonable regulation which is intended by use of the meaningful phrase "be or remain," found constitutional in "Baker v. Borough of Steelton," 17 Dauph. 17 (1912), a decision properly classified in "Thistlewood v. Trial Magistrate for Ocean City," 204 A.2d 688, 691 (Md. 1964) as relating to a curfew ordinance of the "remaining" type.
STREET
A way or place, of whatsoever nature, open to the use of
the public as a matter of right for purposes of vehicular travel or,
in the case of a sidewalk thereof, for pedestrian travel. The term
"street" includes the legal right-of-way, including but not limited
to the cartway of traffic lanes, the curb, the sidewalks whether paved
or unpaved, and any grass plots or other grounds found within the
legal right-of-way of a street. The term "street" applies irrespective
of what it be called or formally named, whether alley, avenue, court,
road or otherwise.
TIME OF NIGHT
Referred to herein, is based upon the prevailing standard
of time, whether Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving
Time, generally observed at the hour by the public in the Borough,
prima facie the time then observed in the Borough administrative offices
and police station.
YEAR OF AGE
Continues from one birthday, such as the 17th to (but not
including the day of) the next, such as the 18th birthday, making
it clear that 17 or less years of age is herein treated as equivalent
to the phrase "under 18 years of age," the latter phrase in practice,
unfortunately, having confused a number of persons into the mistaken
thought that eighteen-year-olds might be involved. Similarly, for
example, 11 or less years of age means "under 12 years of age."
[Ord. No. 385, 8/11/1976,
§ 4]
1. It shall be unlawful for any person 17 or less years of age (under
18) to be or remain in or upon the streets within the Borough of Wesleyville
at night during the period ending at 6:00 a.m. and beginning:
A. At 10:00 p.m. for minors 11 or less years of age;
B. At 10:30 p.m. for minors or 13 years of age; and
C. At 11:00 p.m. for minors 14 or more years of age.
[Ord. No. 385, 8/11/1976,
§ 5]
1. In the following exceptional cases, a minor on a Borough street during the nocturnal hours for which §
6-404 is intended to provide the maximum limits of regulation (and a clear general guide for minors, their parents and their fellow citizens) shall not, however, be considered in violation of this Part.
A. When accompanied by a parent of such minor.
B. When accompanied by an adult authorized by a parent of such minor
to take said parent's place in accompanying said minor for a
designated period of time and purpose within a specified area.
C. When exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States
Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech
and the right of assembly. Such minor shall evidence the bona fides
of such exercise by first delivering, to Communications Center personnel
at the Borough Municipal Building at 3421 Buffalo Road, where and
by whom high-priority messages to the Mayor are regularly received,
a written communication, signed by such minor and countersigned if
practicable by a parent of such minor, with their home address and
telephone number, addressed to the Mayor of the Borough, specifying
when, where and in what manner said minor will be on the streets at
night (during hours when this Part is otherwise applicable to said
minor) in the exercise of a First Amendment right specified in such
communication.
D. In case of reasonable necessity but only after such minor's
parent has communicated to the Borough Police Station personnel the
facts establishing such reasonable necessity relating to specified
streets at a designated time for a described purpose, including points
of origin and destination. A copy of such communication, or of the
police record thereof, duly certified by the Chief of Police to be
correct, with an appropriate notation of the time it was received
and of the names and addresses of such parent and minor, shall be
admissible evidence.
E. When the minor is on the sidewalk of the place where such minor resides,
or on the sidewalk of either next-door neighbor not communicating
an objection to the police officer.
F. When returning home by a direct route from (and within 30 minutes
of the termination of) a school activity, or an activity of a religious,
or other voluntary association, of which prior notice indicating the
place and probable time of termination, has been given in writing
to, and duly filed for immediate reference by, the Chief of Police
or the officer assigned by him on duty at the police station, thus
encouraging (here as in other exceptional situations) conduct on the
part of minors involved in such activities and striking a fair balance
for any somewhat conflicting interests.
G. When authorized by special permit from the Mayor, carried on the
person of the minor thus authorized, as follows. When necessary nighttime
activities of a minor may be inadequately provided for by other provisions
of this Part, then recourse may be had to the Mayor of the Borough,
either for a regulation as provided in Subsection 1H or for a special
permit as the circumstances warrant. Upon the Mayor's finding
of necessity for the use of the streets to the extent warranted by
a written application [as judicially approved in "People v. Walton,"
161 P. 2d 498, 502-503, Cal. App. (1945)], signed by a minor and by
a parent of such minor, if feasible, stating the name, age and address
of such minor, the name, address and telephone number of a parent
thereof, the height, weight, sex, color of eyes and hair and other
physical characteristics of such minor, the necessity which requires
such minor to remain upon the streets during the curfew hours otherwise
applicable, and the street or route and the beginning and ending of
the period of time involved by date and hour, the Mayor may grant
a permit, in writing, for the use by such minor of such streets at
such hours as in the Mayor's opinion may reasonably be necessary;
in an emergency, this may be handled by telephone or other effective
communication, with a corresponding record being made contemporaneously,
either to the Mayor or, if unavailable, to the police officer authorized
by the Mayor to act on his behalf in an emergency, at the police station.
H. When authorized by regulation issued by the Mayor in other similar
cases of reasonable necessity, similarly handled but adapted to necessary nighttime
activities of more minors than can readily be dealt with on an individual,
special-permit basis. Normally, such regulation by the Mayor permitting
use of the streets should be issued sufficiently in advance to permit
appropriate publicity through news media and through other agencies,
such as the schools, and shall define the activity, the scope of the
use of the streets permitted, the period of time involved not to extend
more than 30 minutes beyond the time for termination of such activity,
and the reason for finding that such regulation is reasonably necessary.
I. When the minor carries a certified card of employment, renewable
each calendar month when the current facts so warrant, dated or reissued
not more than 45 days previously, signed by the Chief of Police and
briefly identifying the minor, the addresses of his home and of his
place of employment, and his hours of employment.
J. When the minor is, with parental consent, in a motor vehicle. This
contemplates normal travel. From excess of caution, this clearly exempts
bona fide interstate movement through Wesleyville. This also exempts
interstate travel beginning or ending in Wesleyville.
K. When the minor is 17 years of age, if and when the Mayor shall have
determined, by formal rule first reported to Borough Council, spread
upon its minutes and so reported in the press, finding the facts as
to the extent (minimal) of juvenile delinquency in such age group
permitting such rule, currently, in the best interests of said minors
and of the Borough, finding the facts as to those thus within one
year of adulthood and finding that this Part should be relaxed, then
the Mayor by such formal rule, covering a period of time designated
therein or until rescission thereof not exceeding one year from the
date hereof, may take appropriate action excepting designated minors,
minors in a defined group or area, or all minors (as the current facts
may warrant) 17 years of age at that date or attaining 17 years of
age during the period that such formal rule is and remains in effect.
L. Each of the foregoing exceptions, and their several limitations,
such as provisions for notification, are severable, as hereinafter
provided but here reemphasized; and additional, also severable, exceptions,
broadening with the progress toward maturity of minors enrolled respectively
in elementary, junior high and high schools, will be considered by
Council as warranted by future experience, illuminated by the views
of student government associations, school personnel, citizens, associations,
ward and neighborhood spokesmen, parents, officers and persons in
authority concerned positively with minors as well as with juvenile
delinquency.
[Ord. No. 385, 8/11/1976,
§ 6]
It shall be unlawful for a parent having legal custody of a
minor knowingly to permit, or by inefficient control to allow, such
minor to be or remain upon any Borough street under circumstances
not constituting an exception to, or otherwise beyond the scope of,
this Part. The term "knowingly" includes knowledge which a parent
should reasonably be expected to have concerning the whereabouts of
a minor in that parent's legal custody. It is intended to continue
to keep neglectful or careless parents up to a reasonable community
standard of parental responsibility through an objective test. It
shall, a fortiori, be no defense that a parent was completely indifferent
to the activities or conduct or whereabouts of such minor.
[Ord. No. 385, 8/11/1976,
§ 7]
1. A policeman of the Borough, upon finding or having attention called
to any minor on the streets in prima facie violation of this Part,
normally shall take the minor to the Borough police station, where
a parent shall immediately be notified to come for such minor, whereupon
he or she shall be interrogated. This is intended to permit ascertainment,
under constitutional safeguards or relevant facts, and to centralize
responsibility in the officer there and then on duty for accurate,
effective, fair, impartial and uniform enforcement, and recording,
thus making available experienced supervisory personnel, the best
of facilities and access to information and records. In the absence
of convincing evidence such as a birth certificate, a policeman on
the street shall in the first instance use his best judgment in determining
age.
A. Police procedures shall constantly be refined in the light of experience
and may provide, inter alia, that the policeman may deliver to a parent
thereof a minor under appropriate circumstances; for example, a minor
of tender age near home whose identity and address may readily be
ascertained or are known.
B. In any event, such policeman shall within 24 hours file a written
report with the Chief of Police or shall participate to the extent
of the information for which he is responsible in the preparation
by himself and the officer involved in such case and in the filing
of such report within 24 hours.
C. When a parent, immediately called, has come to take charge of the
minor and the appropriate information has been recorded, the minor
shall be released to the custody of such parent. If the parent cannot
be located or fails to take charge of the minor, then the minor shall
be released to the juvenile authorities, except to the extent that
in accordance with police regulations, approved in advance by juvenile
authorities, the minor may temporarily be entrusted to a relative,
neighbor or other person who will on behalf of a parent assume the
responsibility of caring for the minor pending the availability or
arrival of a parent.
D. In the case of a first violation by a minor, the Chief of Police
shall, by certified mail, send to a parent written notice of said
violation with a warning that any subsequent violation will result
in full enforcement of this Part, including enforcement of parental
responsibility and of applicable penalties.
[Ord. No. 385, 8/11/1976,
§ 8; as amended by Ord. No. 12-13-1989, 12/13/1989]
1. Prevailing community standards and the real internalization thereof
or interpersonal sanctions therefor that, in practice, count for much
as to when minors should be off the streets, reflected in this Part,
are hereby undergirded with the following legal sanctions.
A. If, after the warning notice pursuant to §
6-407 of a first violation by a minor, a parent violates §
6-406 (in connection with a second violation by said minor), this shall be treated as a first offense by the parent. For such first parental offense, a parent shall be fined $25, and for each subsequent offense by a parent, the fine shall be increased by an additional $25; e.g., $50 for the second and not more than $600 for the third offense. The Magisterial District Judge, upon finding a parent guilty, shall sentence the parent to pay such fine and costs of prosecution and, upon refusal to pay such fine and costs, to be imprisoned in the jail of Erie County for a period not exceeding 30 days.
B. Any minor who shall violate any of the provisions of this Part more
than three times shall be reported by the Mayor to a society or organization
whose purpose it is to take charge of incorrigibles and delinquents,
and proceedings shall then be taken under the Juvenile Act, 11 P.S.
§ 50-101 et seq., before the juvenile court for the treatment, supervision
and rehabilitation of such minor.
C. A like procedure, before the juvenile authorities, shall be followed
in any case where the imposing of a fine or fines upon a parent shall
not be effective, or where for any other reason the provisions of
this Part cannot be made effective by the imposing of penalties under
this section.
[Ord. No. 385, 8/11/1976,
§ 9]
Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions
of this Part. If any provision, including inter alia, any exception,
part, phrase or term, or the application thereof to any person or
circumstance is held invalid, the application to other persons or
circumstances shall not be affected thereby and the validity of this
Part in any and all other respects shall not be affected thereby.
From excess of caution, the Mayor is authorized to give advisory opinions,
in writing or immediately reduced to writing, which shall be binding
and shall be adhered to by the police, until this Part is amended
in such respect, interpreting terms, phrases, parts or any provisions.
Normally, such advisory opinions shall be in response to good-faith,
signed letters addressed to him at the Borough administration building,
questioning as ambiguous, as having a potentially chilling effect
on constitutional rights specifically invoked, or as otherwise invalid
in all three categories with respect to proposed conduct definitely
described. This administrative remedy must be exhausted prior to presenting
to any court a question in any of said three categories. Borough Council
does not intend a result that is absurd, impossible of execution or
unreasonable. It is intended that this Part be held inapplicable in
such cases, if any, where its application would be unconstitutional.
A constitutional construction is intended and shall be given. Council
does not intend to violate the Constitution of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania or the Constitution of the United States of America.
[Ord. No. 385, 8/11/1976,
§ 10]
1. Borough Council will continue its evaluation and updating of this
Part.
A. Accordingly, there shall be compiled and informally reported to Borough
Council through effective channels (such as the normal monthly distribution
by the Borough Secretary, to each Councilman, the Mayor and the Borough
Solicitor of noteworthy material) all exceptional cases hereunder
of reasonable necessity, the notices of school and other activities,
the Mayor's special permits and the Mayor's regulations
hereinbefore authorized, and the Mayor's advisory opinions, for
consideration by the appropriate committee and by Borough Council
in further updating and continuing evaluation of this Part.
B. For the same reasons, as well as for the implementation beyond these
legal aspects of the basic purposes hereof, the Mayor and relevant
committees of Borough Council through their respective chairmen in
coordinated efforts shall work with existing, and may organize, voluntary
groups and shall stimulate volunteer leadership in programs of research
and of action dealing constructively on neighborhood and local bases
with juvenile delinquency, and the prevention, control or containment
thereof, in all its ramifications and with practicable steps toward
the good life, and a better life, for minors 17 or less years of age,
and with the working of this Part, community-wise and in individual
cases, as one much-needed legal tool toward that end as well as for
continuing present protection of minors and of other persons, and
of property and other interests, important to the welfare of the people
of the Borough of Wesleyville.