Northville adopts curfew for youths
By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-HeraldArticle Photos
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.
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cazzie
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09-17-08 12:43 PM
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Kudos to Northville! Perth needs a curfew too! There is a scumbag family on our road and the parents think nothing of the kids playing music really loud way past dark and blowing off fireworks. It's this kind of trash that has been moving to Perth in the past few years. I guess it's time for me to call the sherrif's dept.
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forjustice
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09-17-08 12:38 PM
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I wish they forced theses laws when I lived there and when you try to enforce them with your kids and asked for police help, they said take him to family court etc, no support
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Discobulous
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09-17-08 12:32 PM
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If they just showed more rotton tv shows at night, the kids wouldn't be out on the streets to begin with.
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robins
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09-17-08 12:08 PM
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I think this is a very good idea. I do not see why any kid has to be out on the street past 11:00. Where are the parents? Maybe it's time they woke up and find out where there kids are. And not put the responsibility onto someone else. It's there kids. The kids today have no respect what so ever. They are very far and in between. I am so glad i do not live in Northville. I live on the outskirts. But my kids were never allowed to walk the streets of Northville (day time or night time). As a parent I made sure they had plenty to do. I totally agree with the curfew.
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rocky1
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09-17-08 12:04 PM
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I agree with you Innocent Party, but I just think it is a shame that laws has to be passed so to make you a responsible parent rather than being a responsible parent through commonsense.
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LHReader
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09-17-08 12:02 PM
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I agree, kids need a curfew in every town. There is no need to be out walking the streets after 11pm. Parents need to step up to the plate and start acting like parents. There are so many that have no idea where their kid is or what they are doing... it's terrible.
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InnocentParty
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09-17-08 11:48 AM
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Why would anyone complain about this? If your kid isn't going to work or a special function, why do they need to be hanging on the streets after 11pm? As long as your kid isn't an offender, you have nothing to worry about. If your kid is out past the curfew without a valid reason, shame on you as a parent.
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RizziBear
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09-17-08 11:22 AM
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"a useful tool for law enforcement" We should build a youth detention center in Northville with Homeland Security Funds. 10 foot perimeter fencing with razor wire, guard towers, searchlights, vicious guard dogs, cops in black SWAT outfits with sidearms and automatic rifles. Everyone in the village should be subject to personal searches and drug testing conducted randomly by the police. Everyone must carry identifcation and work permit papers. Troublemaker will wear a cloth "rotten apple" sewn on the front of their clothing. How cool would that be?!?
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