The town of West New York recently introduced an amendment to make curfew hours earlier for kids under 18, while Union City is sticking with their current hours until the school year starts.
At least one other local town is considering changing its curfew in light of a recent beating in Bayonne by a group of teens that left a man in a coma.
The West New York Commissioners plan to take a final vote on Aug. 17 to change the current curfew hours so they start at 10 p.m. instead of 11 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and start at 11 p.m. instead of 12 a.m. Friday through Saturday. The curfew ends at 6 a.m. each day.
Assistant West New York Attorney Joe Demarco said the amendment was drawn up in conjunction with current Director of Police Michael Indri to better curtail lawbreaking by local youths.
The change is up for a vote on Aug. 17.
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The amendment states, “a significant breakdown in the supervision normally provided by certain parents and guidance for juveniles under 18 years of age, [has resulted] in juveniles being involved in a wide range of criminal and other unacceptable behavior, including vandalism, noisy and rowdy behavior, public drinking and littering, and harassment of residents.”
In neighboring Union City, officials said there are no immediate plans to change their curfew. Current Union City curfew hours are 11:59 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the summer, but they change during the academic year.
Making changes
The West New York law has exceptions. It will allow minors to be in the street when accompanied by an adult, when traveling to and from work, when traveling to and from a public/private school function, or when at their home or home sidewalk.
Penalties could include fines ranging from $100 to $1,000, and/or community service for both the parent and child.
In Union City, according to Union City Police Chief Charles Everett, the city tries to educate the parents about the law so their kids will better comply. Everett said that if a child is seen outside during curfew, the police will contact the parents. A habitual offender will be summoned to court along with a parent.
Everett said that some parents have shown interest in lowering curfew hours, but he has found it more effective when the police help parents understand the law. Many kids have been found in the streets after hours when the parents were not aware, he said.
On the town website, Mayor Brian Stack has a letter addressing the youth curfew and promoting recreational activities to keep youths busy. Chief Everett said that the youth fitness academy mentioned in the letter allows kids to exercise at the Union City High School while being taught by mentors about how to exercise and diet properly. He also said that the Junior Police Academy keeps kids busy during the summer with field trips and military style exercise regimens.
Other towns considering changes
Meanwhile, the city of Bayonne, which has no curfew, is considering instituting one after nine teens were charged with allegedly beating a local man into a coma at 3 a.m. on July 3.
In addition, a police spokesman in North Bergen recently said that the police are considering stepping up enforcement of the town’s curfew.
Santo Sanabria may be reached at SSanabria@hudsonreporter.com.