Borough of Morrisville, PA: Definitions.

§ 169-1 Declaration and purpose.

The Borough Council of the Borough of Morrisville finds that enactment of this chapter is necessary to secure the public safety in that:

A serious situation has been created by a substantial increase in the number and in the seriousness of acts committed by minors against persons and property within the Borough and this has created a menace to the preservation of public peace, safety, health and welfare.

The increase in juvenile delinquency has been caused in part by minors who are permitted to remain in public places and in certain establishments during the night hours without adult supervision.

The problem of juvenile delinquency can be reduced by regulating the hours during which minors may remain in public places and in certain establishments without adult supervision and by imposing certain duties and responsibilities upon the parents or other adult persons who have care and custody of minors.

§ 169-2 Definitions.

The following definitions apply to this chapter:

BOROUGH

The Borough of Morrisville.

CUSTODIAN

Any adult person, 21 years of age or older, responsible for the care and custody of a minor.

ESTABLISHMENT

Any privately owned place of business carried on for a profit or any place of amusement or entertainment to which the public is invited.

GUARDIAN

Any person other than a parent, who has legal guardianship of a minor.

MINOR

Any person under the age of 18 years.

PARENT

The natural or adoptive parent of a minor.

PRIVATE PROPERTY

Any privately owned property on which a person enters without the consent of the owner, tenant, occupier or custodian.

PUBLIC PLACE

Any public street, highway, road, park, playground, public building, vacant lot or parking areas open to the general public.

§ 169-3 Curfew for minors.

It shall be unlawful for any minor to remain, idle or play in or upon any public place or any establishment or to wander or stroll upon public streets or rights-of-way or without consent or be on private property between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. of the following day, except that on Fridays and Saturdays the hours shall be 12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. of the following day.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following minors:

(1)

Any minor who is accompanied by his parent, guardian or custodian.

(2)

Any minor who is on an errand or other legitimate business directed by his parent, guardian or custodian. Said minor must have a note dated and signed by a parent, guardian or custodian indicating the time and destination in order for this exception to be applicable.

(3)

Any minor who is engaged in lawful employment during the aforesaid hours. Such minor must have a statement from his or her employer indicating the place of employment and the hours said minor works for this exception to be applicable.

§ 169-4 Parental liability.

Subject to the exceptions set forth in § 169-3B, it shall be unlawful for any parent, custodian or guardian of a person under 18 years of age to allow or permit such minor person to be in or remain upon any public place or any establishment or private property, as above defined, after the hours mentioned in § 169-3A.

§ 169-5 Enforcement.

Any police officer who finds a minor violating § 169-3 shall obtain the information from such minor that is required in order to issue a citation to the minor. The minor shall thereupon be instructed to proceed to his home forthwith. A copy of the citation and a written notice shall be mailed to the parent, legal guardian or custodian of the minor by the Chief of Police advising of the violation of § 169-3.

If the minor fails to heed the direction of a police officer to proceed to his home forth with, then the minor shall be taken to the Police Department and the parent, guardian or custodian of such minor shall be notified to come and take charge of the minor. If the parent, guardian or custodian cannot be located or fails to come and take charge of the minor, the juvenile authorities shall be contacted to determine the further disposition of the minor.

If a person suspected of violating § 169-3 refuses to satisfactorily identify himself to a police officer, that person shall be taken to the Police Department where the police shall attempt to identify the suspect. If it is determined that the suspect is a minor, then the parent, guardian or custodian of such minor shall be notified to come and take charge of the minor. If the parent, guardian or custodian cannot be located or fails to come and take charge of the minor, the juvenile authorities shall be contacted to determine the further disposition of the minor.

§ 169-6 Violations and penalties.

Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding before any District Justice of Bucks County, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $300 and costs of prosecution and, in default of payment thereof, shall be subject to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days.