By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Parents need to be aware that their children might end up
getting picked up by Nephi City Police officers if they are
out past curfew.
Chad Bowles, Nephi City Police Chief, said the city
council may receive some complaints about the curfew being
enforced but the police department had full intentions of
making certain that minors followed the city's
ordinance.
"Basically, there is nothing out there at that time for
young people except for getting in trouble," said
Bowles.
"We have been flexible but we need to tighten up the
rope," he said.
Youth of the community need to get off the streets and go
home.
The ordinance, he says, is clear and it will be enforced.
No person under the age of 16 will be on city streets,
alleys, public places, or vacant lots on weekday nights
between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 4 a.m.
"There are some exceptions," said Bowles.
If a student is on the way home from a school activity,
such as an out-of-town sporting event, or a young person has
just gotten off work, officers will allow a reasonable time
for the young person to get home.
On Friday or Saturday evenings, or any night when a
school, civic, or church function is taking place beyond
normal curfew hours, the hours when the youth can be out
will be set at 11:30 p.m.
Young people should be at home between that hour and 4
a.m. In the morning.
"If they are out later they should be accompanied by a
parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody of
such a minor person," he said.
The employment of lawful business of a minor which would
make it necessary for the young person to be out later than
curfew will be taken into consideration.
"The curfew changes for those who are under the age of 18
but over the age of 16," said Bowles.
Weekdays this age group may be out until 11 p.m. And then
must be at home between that hour and 4 a.m.
Fridays and Saturdays and other nights when school, civic
or church functions take place beyond the normal curfew
hours, the young person between 16 and 18 will be allowed to
be out until 12 midnight.
The same exceptions to the curfew are allowed this age
group is allowed those under 16 years of age.
They must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or person
having legal custody. They also may be granted an employment
allowance which will give them time to get home from legal
employment.
The city ordinance has been in effect since May 17, 1988
and was signed into effect by Boyd S. Park, who was mayor at
the time.
"We have written-up some young people," said Bowles.
After the young person is given a ticket, the judge sets
the penalty, he said. The youth who breaks curfew may go to
youth court or they may go to juvenile court.
"We send them all to the judge and she makes the
decision," said Bowles.
The fine for a curfew offense may be between $20 to $200.
In addition to the fine, work hours may be assigned.
"We have had young people paint the curbs red, pick up
garbage, and perform other community service," he said.
Sometimes the youth is required to write an essay.
In all cases, said Bowles, the person doing community
service must be supervised and must have someone, like a
business owner, certify that the work assigned has actually
been done.
"We wanted you to be aware that we are enforcing the
ordinance," said Bowles. "Those without a legitimate reason
to be out after curfew are just getting in trouble."
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