Not So New Curfew

    Why the “new” curfew? Some might ask (mostly teens). Actually, there has been a curfew in place since early to mid 2011. It has recently been enforced because kids were out later than they needed to be, and the Village Council doesn’t want the school attendance as poor as it was last year. The curfew ordinance was written not to criminalize, but to urge and build responsibility, though not everyone agrees that a curfew is necessary.

    What are the consequences if someone is out after curfew? If a person under the age of 18 is seen out after 10 O’clock p.m. on weekdays and 12 a.m. on weekends. he/she will be brought home by the VPSO. The VPSO will then have a talk with his/her parents. Then the parents and offender will be brought before the Village Council to explain why the underage person was out after curfew. The offender will also be given a penalty: community service hours. But wait! There is a way to avoid all this, you could call VPSO Decker and give him a good reason why you’re going to be late or you could just be home on time!

    The teens and adults of Igiugig feel very differently about the curfew. “It’s kind of lame,” one teen said.  While most teens don’t want the curfew to stay in effect and think that it isn’t necessary, others (adults) would call it a good thing. “As the writer of the ordinance, I think it’s good. It’s a good thing for kids to be home when they need to be.” Says VPSO Dan Decker about the newly enforced curfew. Some might not even care if there is or isn’t a curfew in effect and being enforced.

    Either way, the curfew is being enforced and there isn’t really anything anyone under 18 can do about it. If you don’t want to get into trouble, don’t caught out after curfew, or just go home when it’s time (recommended). Even though some may feel very strongly, or not at all, about the curfew all it comes down to is responsibility.