Northville adopts curfew for youths

By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-Herald

NORTHVILLE - The village board adopted a curfew for youths Tuesday, citing recent burglary attempts and vandalism as reasons the law is necessary.

The board conducted a public hearing during its meeting to field questions or comments about the law.

One resident, Terry Warner, attended the hearing. He expressed his concern, saying he was not sure he wanted "big brother" enforcing another law on village residents.

"I've never had any negative experience with any of the youth here," he said. "I'm wondering why the topic of a curfew is even being broached."

Mayor James Groff, who also is the police commissioner, said of all the comments he has received from village residents, Warner's have been the only ones against enacting the law.

"The biggest part of the problem is with the parents," Groff said. "I responded to an incident of a 15-year-old out at 5 a.m., and she was intoxicated. We brought her to her house and her mom seemed to think [the 15- year-old] was our responsibility."

Groff said there have been recent attempted burglaries at several stores in the village. He cited a problem countywide with drugs and alcohol.

"The apathy in the county amazes me," he said. "There is an illegal drug and underage drinking problem in this county."

Warner said he was concerned youths who are out and not causing trouble would be unfairly targeted.

Board member Jennifer Conkling-Donovan said the law spells out a number of exceptions that would prevent an innocent minor from being targeted.

"There are so many exceptions for being out because of work or a special event," she said. "And you get a verbal warning first before there is any ticket issued."

The law prohibits any person younger than 18 from loitering or remaining on any public property, including streets, parks or sidewalks, past 11 p.m. any night of the week. It is similar to other curfew laws already on the books in the villages of Broadalbin and St. Johnsville.

There are exceptions for minors who are accompanied by a parent or guardian, leaving or going to work, or who recently left a community, school or recreational event and are heading home.

Board member Norman Richardson said he has not received much feedback, either positive or negative, about the law.

"When no one says no, how do you read that?" he asked.

Groff said he does not like putting another law on the village books, but said it has become necessary and will be a useful tool for law enforcement.

"I don't like being a surrogate parent, believe me," he said.

Conkling-Donovan agreed.

"We have a good core group of kids in the village," she said. "This is a tool for law enforcement for those few bad apples."

Kayleigh Karutis covers rural Fulton County. She can be reached at ruralnews@leaderherald.com.