MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 17, 2010 

For More Information:
John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798
Web – Facebook – Twitter

City of Columbus, Franklin County Children Services Team Up For Continued Curfew Initiative

Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Columbus City Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther and other community partners gathered at Franklin County Children Services headquarters to remind families that children need to be home by midnight. In partnership with FCCS, the city is continuing to keep Columbus youth safe and off the streets after midnight through curfew enforcement in Columbus neighborhoods.

“Our curfew initiative has created a new community standard over the past two years that has helped keep our kids and our neighborhoods safe,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “I want to thank Franklin County Children Services for working with us to keep children out of harm’s way and out of trouble.”

Summertime typically brings an increase in the number of reported curfew violations, and as in past years, Columbus Police will continue to respond to calls for service around this issue. FCCS, which has the best resources and expertise to assist children and families in need of help, first partnered with the city on curfew enforcement in 2009.

“Franklin County Children Services is pleased to partner with the City of Columbus on the Curfew program,” said Eric D. Fenner, Executive Director, Franklin County Children Services. “Our agency is committed to safety, permanency and well-being for each child we serve and we believe this important initiative will help in our efforts to keep children safe.”

Upon apprehension of an individual in violation of curfew, police officers will attempt to make contact with the juvenile’s parent or legal guardian. If they are unable to do so, police will transport the youth to Franklin County Children Services. FCCS can then reach out and engage parents and youth with the appropriate services dependent upon the reason for the violation. As always, the goal of this effort is to keep young people safe.

“We have made great progress in raising community awareness of our curfew law, and the importance of making sure our kids are home safe late at night,” said Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Chair of the Public Safety Committee. “This year we will work to reinforce that message, and make sure that parents and teens understand that that the city takes the law seriously. This is about the safety of our children and teens, and making sure they are home, safe and sound before curfew.”

The current curfew law was established 36 years ago. Prior to 2008, it had never been effectively enforced because police had no good place to take kids. The city’s curfew law requires minors under age 13 to be off the streets one hour after sunset to 4:30 a.m. and minors age 13-17 to be off the streets from Midnight to 4:30 a.m. A curfew violation is a third degree misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $500 and/or 60 days in jail.

-30-