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PALMETTO, Fla. — Despite some pushback from the community, members of the Palmetto City Commission voted 4-1 Monday to adopt a new curfew ordinance for minors.
What You Need To Know
- Despite some pushback from the community, members of the Palmetto City Commission voted 4-1 Monday to adopt a new curfew ordinance for minors
- Children under 16 will not be allowed out without a parent between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday
- Some parents and community members spoke against the ordinance, saying they worry teens in minority groups might be targeted
Children under 16 will not be allowed out without a parent between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
The city’s ordinance mirrors the ordinance passed by the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners in November.
Some parents and community members spoke against the city’s ordinance, saying they worry teens in minority groups might be targeted.
“I just don’t want our children ending up caught up into the system or having any fines imposed on them when they’re not the responsible ones for all of that,” said Manatee County NAACP President Tracey Washington.
Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler said the rule will help protect teens, and they will not be charged criminally for violating it.
“We enforce the law impartially, effectively,” Tyler said. “This isn’t an ordinance where we’re going to be out there stopping kids. When we encounter kids, we’re trying to get them home. Also, remember that this ordinance and the statute that backs it up, it’s not criminal.”
Tyler added there could be a $50 fine, but that will be reserved for repeat violations.
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Sarah Blazonis
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