§ 7.08.01. Finding and purpose.

It is the desire of the city council to take all legislative actions possible to help protect the health and welfare of the minor citizens of the city, and other minors that visit the city. It has come to the attention of the city council that criminal offenses occur during nocturnal hours that often involve minors either as perpetrators or a victims. The city council further finds and has determined that a curfew meets a very real local need and that curfew ordinances in other communities have been a factor in minimizing juvenile delinquency. A curfew in the city is particularly appropriate in view of the basic residential nature of the community and the sense of the community that there is a proper time for the cessation of outdoor activities of juveniles. That this attitude of the community is reflected in the curfew hours declared by this chapter which takes into consideration the danger hours for nocturnal crime. The city is basically a family community. Parental responsibility for the whereabouts of children is the accepted norm by a substantial majority of the community. Legal sanctions to enforce such responsibility have had demonstrated effectiveness in many communities over the years. The city council has determined that as parental control increases there is a likelihood that juvenile delinquency decreases and that there is a need for nocturnal curfew for juveniles in the city and that the establishment of a curfew applicable to juveniles will reinforce the primary authority and responsibility of parents and guardians over juveniles in their care and custody.

( Ord. No. 96-27, § 1 )