LEETONIA Council considers getting tougher on curfew violations

A parent or guardian could face up to a $250 fine and 30 days in jail for some curfew violations.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LEETONIA -- Parents who allow their juvenile children to violate village curfew laws are likely to face stiffer penalties.
Village council will consider amending the village ordinance on curfew violations. The council meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday at village hall.
Police Chief John Soldano asked council earlier this year to increase the fines for curfew violations. Soldano said the village's curfew ordinance has been in effect since the 1950s, and the fines, which range from $10 to $25, reflect that.
He said some parents don't consider curfew violations a serious offense because the fines are so low.
Soldano put out a plea in August for parents to be more involved with their children, to be more aware of their activities and more strict about curfews.
Through the summer months, there were on average about two calls per night about curfew violations.
With cooler weather and the start of school in the fall, complaints about curfew violators dwindled to about one per week, he said.
Soldano said that when juveniles are caught out after curfew, they are turned over to their parents and the parents are warned. The parents might also be cited into mayor's court, he said.
The amended ordinance would follow the guidelines for misdemeanor crimes, he said.
Penalties
If the council amends the ordinance, parents or guardians of a juvenile would receive a warning on a first offense, Soldano said. A second offense would be a minor misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $100, plus $53 in court costs, he said.
For any subsequent violations, the parent or guardian will be charged with a fourth-degree misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to a $250 fine and a 30-day jail sentence, Soldano said.
Soldano said police will report any juvenile who violates curfew more than once to juvenile authorities for treatment, supervision and rehabilitation.
Soldano stressed that the main reason for curfews is the safety of the children. Although the juveniles out after curfew have not been involved in any crimes, the potential is there when juveniles are unsupervised long after curfew, he said.
He said Leetonia's curfews are the standard for Columbiana County: 10 weeknights and 11 p.m. weekends for juveniles younger than 16; and 11 weeknights and midnight weekends for 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds.