[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Camden 4-25-1996 by Ord. No. MC-3206 (Ch. 200 of the 1987 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter establishing a curfew for children is to help prevent truancy, juvenile delinquency and crime in the City while, at the same time, safeguarding the constitutional rights of such children and encouraging school attendance.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CHILD
Any person under the age of 18 years.
EMERGENCY
An unforeseen combination of circumstances that calls for immediate action, including, but not limited to, a fire, natural disaster, vehicular accident, or the onset of a serious medical condition.
[Added 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. MC-4355]
ESTABLISHMENT
Any privately owned place of business carried on for profit or any place of amusement or entertainment to which the public is invited.
EXCUSED ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL
An absence that shall be excluded from counting toward the accrual of days that deny students the privilege of attending the secondary summer school program and counting toward the accrual of days that lead to court action or dropping the student from the school's register. Examples of "excused absences" are: illness, death in the family and religious holidays and approved college visitation for high school seniors.
GUARDIAN
A person to whom legal custody of the child has been given by court order or who is responsible for the care and welfare of the child.[1]
[Added 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. MC-4355]
PARENT
Any natural parent of any child, a guardian or any adult person of the age of 21 years or over who is responsible for the care, custody and control of any child.
PUBLIC PLACE
Any public street, highway, road, alley, park, playground, wharf, dock, public building or vacant lot in the City.
REMAIN
To loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play in or upon any establishment or public place.
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "operator," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. MC-5232.
[Amended 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. MC-4355]
No child under the age of 18 years shall remain in or upon any public place or street between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on each and every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, unless accompanied by the parent, as defined in § 282-2 of this chapter.
[Amended 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. MC-4355]
In the following cases, a minor shall not be considered in violation of § 282-3:
A. 
When returning home, without any detour or stop, from an official school activity or an organized religious activity.
B. 
When returning home, without any stop or detour, from a place of employment.
C. 
When engaged in interstate travel beginning or ending in the City.
D. 
On an errand at the direction of the child's parent or guardian, without any detour or stop.
E. 
When involved in an emergency.
No child over the age of five years and under the age of 18 years shall remain in or upon any public place or establishment outside any school grounds between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. every Monday through Friday while school is in session during the school year.
In the following cases, a student shall not be considered in violation of § 282-5:
A. 
During an excused absence.
B. 
During an approved early dismissal from school.
C. 
When the student is enrolled in an approved work-experience program.
D. 
When the student is officially removed from the school register.
E. 
Parochial and private school students who have different school hours or different holiday and vacation schedules during times while those schools are not in session.
A. 
No parent, as defined in § 282-2 of this chapter, of any child under the age of 18 years shall permit such child to remain in or upon any public place or establishment after the hour of 10:00 p.m. on each and every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 6:00 a.m. of the following morning or after the hour of 11:00 p.m. on each and every Friday or Saturday until 6:00 a.m. of the following morning, unless accompanied by such parent.
B. 
No parent, as defined in § 282-2 of this chapter, of any child over the age of five years and under the age of 18 years shall permit such child to remain in or upon any public place or establishment outside any school grounds between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. every Monday through Friday while school is in session during the school year.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 200-8, Operators not to allow unaccompanied children in establishments, which previously followed this section, was repealed 2-13-2003 by Ord. No. MC-3814.
[Amended 2-13-2003 by Ord. No. MC-3814; 10-12-2006 by Ord. No. MC-4234; 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. MC-4355]
Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, persons violating the provisions of this chapter shall be required to perform community service and may be subject to a fine of up to $1,000.