APD launching curfew crackdown

AURORA | Young people who stay out past curfew can expect a run in with Aurora police this summer. 

The department announced Thursday that officers will be cracking down on curfew violators this summer, issuing warnings or citations to young people out past midnight on the weekends and 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 

“In simplest terms, the City of Aurora’s curfew ordinance is about safety, crime prevention and preservation of the public peace. Youth under 18 who are out past curfew hours are exposed to risks, temptations and choices that may lead to involvement with the criminal justice system,” the department said in a statement. 

The crackdown is set to start Friday. 

Last year, APD issued 115 summonses for curfew violations. 

And, police said, 80 of those incidents were tied to another crime, such as weapons offenses, drugs or disorderly conduct. Others involved underage alcohol possession. 

The penalty for a curfew violation is a $25 fine.

Click below for the full APD release. 

NEWS RELEASE

AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT

15001 E. Alameda Parkway

Aurora, Colorado 80012

DATE: June 9, 2011

CONTACT: Detective Robert Friel, PIO (303) 739 - 6022

NATURE: Summer Police Initiative on Curfew Education and Enforcement

Aurora, Colo. – In an effort to improve safety and encourage smart choices and behavior for youth, the Aurora Police Department is undertaking a summer initiative and awareness campaign to educate youth and parents about the City of Aurora’s curfew ordinance.

Beginning this coming Friday, June 10, the APD will conduct periodic citywide curfew operations throughout the summer in which youth and parents will be issued warnings and/or citations for violating the City of Aurora’s curfew ordinance.

The basic elements of the curfew ordinance are (city ordinance in its entirety is provided below):

• Anyone under the age of 18;
• Cannot loiter on or about any street, alley, sidewalk, parking lot, park, outdoor recreation or common area, or playground;
• Sunday – Thursday from 11:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m., or Friday – Saturday from midnight – 5:00 a.m.

In simplest terms, the City of Aurora’s curfew ordinance is about safety, crime prevention and preservation of the public peace. Youth under 18 who are out past curfew hours are exposed to risks, temptations and choices that may lead to involvement with the criminal justice system.  In 2010, Officers issued 115 summonses for curfew violations. Of those incidents, 80 were tied to criminal activity such as: weapons offenses, damaged property, possession of illegal narcotics, and behaviors associated with disorderly conduct, or other disruptions of the public peace.  Additionally, there were a number of curfew related violations tied to the status offense of possession of alcohol by a minor.  During the summer season, the number of summonses issued by Officers for enforcement of the City’s curfew ordinance increases. 

The purpose of this new APD initiative is to educate parents and children that they can avoid these risks and consequences by respecting the city’s curfew law. Our hope is that by sharing this information in advance of our first such operation, parents and guardians will work with us to make sure their underage children remain in compliance with the curfew.  The APD encourages parents and guardians to use the news of the initiative as a teaching moment to discuss the importance of adhering to the law and avoiding risks that young teens are exposed to on the streets late at night and after curfew hours. 

The penalty for a violation of City Ordinance 94-341 – Curfew hours, is a $25.00 fine.  A court appearance is not required. However, if the juvenile fails to pay the fine, an outstanding judgment warrant will be issued, which will cause a hold to be placed on the defendant’s driver’s license.

The City of Aurora Ordinances Sec. 94-341 - Curfew hours, and Sec. 94-342 - Parents’, guardians’ responsibility for curfew are provided in their entirety below. 

CITY OF AURORA ORDINANCES

Sec. 94-341. - Curfew hours.

It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 years to loiter on or about any street, alley, sidewalk, parking lot, park, outdoor recreation or common area, or playground after the hour of 11:00 p.m. or prior to the hour of 5:00 a.m., unless such minor is accompanied by the parent, guardian, or other person at least 21 years of age having permission of the parent or guardian to have the custody and care of such minor; or by any person between the ages of 18 years and 21 years having in his or her possession written permission from the parent or guardian to have the care or custody of such minor; provided that on Friday and Saturday nights, the curfew hour for minors under 18 years shall be extended to the hour of 12:00 midnight. For the purposes of this section loitering is defined as remaining idle in essentially one location, to be dilatory, to tarry, to dawdle and shall include, but not be limited to, standing around, hanging out, sitting, kneeling, sauntering or prowling.

Sec. 94-342. - Parents’, guardians’ responsibility for curfew.

It shall be unlawful for any parent, guardian, or other person having care or custody of any person under the age of 18 years to allow or permit any such minor to loiter or remain upon any street, alley, or other public place after the hour of 11:00 p.m. or prior to the hour of 5:00 a.m., unless such minor is accompanied by the parent, guardian or other person of the age of 21 years having permission of the parent or guardian to have the custody and care of such minor or by any person between the ages of 18 years and 21 years having in his or her possession written permission from the parent or guardian to have the care or custody of such minor, provided that on Friday and Saturday nights, the curfew hour for minors under the age of 18 years shall be extended to the hour of 12:00 midnight.