Some parents may have to start keeping a closer eye on their kids.
The Portage County Public Safety/Emergency Management Committee wants the County Board to adopt a countywide juvenile nighttime curfew.
"We're aiming at the people who are out there at 3, 4 in the morning and creating the problems," Sheriff Stan Potocki said.
Curfew hours would be from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day of the week for children under the age of 17. Minors would commit the offense if they remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the county during curfew hours. A parent or guardian commits an offense if he knowingly permits, or by insufficient control, allows the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the county during curfew hours.
The proposed ordinance makes exceptions for minors accompanied by a parent or guardian, on an errand for their parent or guardian, in a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel, going to and from work, involved in an emergency, attending officially sponsored recreational activities, or going to and from a movie theater. All travel exceptions prohibit any stop or detour.
Convictions could result in parents being fined up to $500.
In the last couple of years, the county has had a rash of problems in towns and villages with deputies seeing minors out at such times as 3 a.m., 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., Potocki said. A countywide ordinance would be easier to enforce and hopefully cut back on problems.
The Public Safety/Emergency Management Committee unanimously approved the ordinance. The County Board must approve the resolution before it becomes law.