The Lockport Common Council will hear residents’ thoughts on a new curfew proposed by Fifth Ward Alderman Margaret Lupo at its Wednesday meeting.
The new proposed local law places 16- and 17-year-olds under the same rule as 14- and 15-year-olds — to not “loiter, wander, stroll, play or remain in or upon any public place … between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.”
Earlier in May, Police Chief Steven Abbott noted that the age considered to be juveniles by the state has been raised, and the city code could be modified to reflect that.
Both Lupo and Abbott were quick to say that they understood some teenagers have jobs or responsibilities that require them to be out after the new curfew.
“It’s not meant to stifle working 16- and 17-year-olds who might be saving up for college,” Abbott said, adding that the language of the law needs to reflect that for enforcement purposes.
Lupo agreed with the police chief, but she said that she had heard about juvenile mischief being perpetrated in the North End of the city, and that’s why she had brought it up early in May at the council’s work session.
“(If) you’re 17 and you’re out causing trouble in the community and you’re out past curfew, which is 11 p.m., your parent can get a ticket,” she said. “That’s what I want.”
While Abbott said that enforcement of the law would largely be passing out curfew tickets to those already at the scene of a crime, be it noise or fighting or criminal mischief, Lupo said that the new curfew could add “some incentive” for keeping juveniles indoors at that hour.
“Maybe if we give the guardian or parent some incentive to keep a better eye on these kids, it may help,” she said.
The public hearing will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.