Sylva officials to consider curfew for youth under 16

By Lynn Hotaling

Sylva's public safety committee unanimously agreed Tuesday (Aug. 13) to recommend a proposed ordinance aimed at keeping youth under age 16 off town streets after midnight.

Sylva town board members are expected to set a date for a public hearing on the proposed ordinance during their Sept. 5 meeting. A vote could come as early as Oct. 3.

The town's proposed youth protection/curfew ordinance is modeled after one currently in place in Hendersonville and covers the period between midnight and 5 a.m. seven days a week, said Sylva Police Chief Jeff Jamison.

If town board members approve the draft ordinance, it would become unlawful for minors and juveniles under age 16 to be in any public place within Sylva's city limits during the curfew hours.

Minors would only be allowed out during those time periods if accompanied by a parent or guardian or traveling between two of the following locations: home, place of employment, place of worship, government building or any school-sanctioned function - if the minor has attended the function.

Consequences for violating the curfew would be shared by juveniles and their parents, Jamison said.

On the first offense, both the minor and the parent would receive warning tickets, he said. For repeat offenses, a juvenile complaint would be drawn against the minor and a criminal citation against the parent. Also, if the juvenile is thought to be abused or neglected, the officer will file a report with the Department of Social Services, the proposed ordinance states.

If a parent refuses to take custody of a minor child found to be in violation of the curfew, officers will immediately contact DSS, and the parent or guardian will be subject to criminal action, Jamison said.

The draft ordinance sets punishment for violating its provisions as a fine of no more that $500 or imprisonment for no more than 30 days. Jamison first proposed a curfew ordinance during the town board's July 11 session. Approval to draft an ordinance came during a July 16 meeting of the public safety committee.

Sylva needs a curfew due to problems the Police Department is having with youths being out late, Jamison said.

When his officers find unescorted minors out at 1 or 2 a.m., they have to find them rides home or find their parents, Jamison said.

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