[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Wallkill 10-14-1999
by L.L. No. 6-1999. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Peace and good order — See Ch. 178.
The Town Board of the Town of Wallkill has determined that large numbers
of minors have been congregating at various locations in the town during late-evening
hours causing general disturbances to residents and generating a large number
of police calls and complaints. In order to reduce juvenile crime, protect
the children of the town, reinforce parental authority and to enhance the
quality of life of all residents of the town, the Town Board has determined
it necessary that a curfew be established to keep minors out of public areas
during late-evening hours.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any child under the age of 17
years of age to remain in or upon any public street, highway, sidewalk, park,
school, vacant lot or other public place in the Town of Wallkill between the
hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
B.
During the period of Halloween, inclusive of October
30, October 31 and November 1 of each year, the aforesaid curfew shall be
extended to include the hours from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. In the event that
Halloween shall occur on a Sunday, the curfew shall also include the Friday
prior thereto (October 29).
The following shall constitute valid exceptions to the operation of
the curfew:
A.
At any time, if the child is accompanied by his or her
parent or legal guardian.
B.
Until the hour of 12:00 midnight if the child is on a
valid errand as directed by his or her parent or legal guardian.
C.
If the child is legally employed, for the period from
1/2 hour before to 1/2 hour after work, while going directly between his or
her home and place of employment. This exception shall also apply if the child
is in a public place during curfew hours in the course of his or her employment.
To qualify under this exception, the child must be carrying a written statement
from the employer attesting to the place and hours of employment.
D.
Until the hour of 12:00 midnight, if the child is on
the property of or sidewalk directly adjacent to the building in which he
or she resides or a building immediately adjacent thereto if the owner or
tenant of said adjacent building does not object.
E.
If the child is coming directly home from a school activity
or an activity of a religious or other voluntary association, or a place of
public entertainment, such as a movie, play or sporting event This exception
will apply for 1/2 hour after the completion of such event, but in no case
beyond 12:00 midnight, unless the child can provide a reasonable explanation
for failure to comply with the aforesaid deadline and/or the Police Department
can verify the validity of said noncompliance. If the event is not commercial
in nature or does not have a fixed, publicly known time at which it will end,
the sponsoring organization must register the event with the Police Department
at least 24 hours in advance informing it of the time such event is scheduled
to begin, the place at which it shall be held, the time at which it shall
end and the name of the sponsoring organization.
F.
If the child is exercising rights protected by the First
Amendment to the United States Constitution or its parallel provision in the
New York State Constitution, provided that the child shall first have given
notice to the Supervisor by delivering a written communication signed by the
child and countersigned by a parent or legal guardian of the child which specifies
when, where, in what matter and for what constitutional purpose the child
will be in a public place at night during the curfew period.
G.
If the child is responding to an emergency involving
an imminent threat of substantial harm to person or property.
A.
A police officer who has probable cause to believe that
a child is in violation of this chapter shall take such child to the police
station where the child's parents or legal guardian shall be immediately contacted.
If, after this contact, there is still probable cause to believe that the
child was violating this chapter, the child shall be held until the parent
or legal guardian comes to take the child home. When the parent or legal guardian
arrives at the police station, he or she must be given a copy of this chapter.
If no parent or legal guardian has arrived within three hours with respect
to any child under the age of 16 years, the child shall be turned over to
the custody of juvenile authorities until a parent or guardian can take custody
of the child. If no parent or legal guardian has arrived within three hours
with respect to any child aged 16 years, that child shall be given a copy
of this chapter and released.
B.
A second or subsequent violation of this chapter by a
child aged 16 years shall constitute an offense within the meaning of the
Penal Law of the State of New York and shall be punishable by a fine of not
less than $25 nor more than $100 or by up to five days' imprisonment, or by
both such fine and imprisonment.
C.
A second or subsequent violation of this chapter by a
child under 16 years of age shall be reported by the police to the juvenile
authorities.
