Township of Springfield, PA Curfew

An unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action. The term includes, but is not limited to, a fire, a natural disaster, or automobile accident, or any situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life.

ESTABLISHMENT

Any privately owned place of business operated for a profit to which the public is invited, including but not limited to any place of amusement or entertainment.

GUARDIAN

(1)

A person who, under court order, is the guardian of the person of a minor; or

(2)

A public or private agency with whom a minor has been placed by a court.

MINOR

Any person under 18 years of age.

OPERATOR

Any individual, firm, association, partnership, or corporation operating, managing, or conducting any establishment. The term includes the members or partners of any association or partnership and the officers of a corporation.

PARENT

A person who is:

(1)

A natural parent, adoptive parent, or step-parent of another person; or

(2)

At least 18 years of age and authorized by a parent or guardian to have the care and custody of a minor.

PUBLIC PLACE

Any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access and includes, but is not limited to, streets, highways, and the common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities, and shops.

REMAIN

To:

(1)

Linger or stay; or

(2)

Fail to leave premises when requested to do so by a police officer or the owner, operator, or other person in control of the premises.

SERIOUS BODILY INJURY

Bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

Offenses.

(1)

A minor commits an offense if he remains in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the Township during curfew hours.

(2)

A parent or guardian of a minor commits an offense if he knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the Township during curfew hours.

(3)

The owner, operator, or any employee of an establishment commits an offense if he knowingly allows a minor to remain upon the premises of the establishment during curfew hours.

Defenses.

(1)

It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection B that the minor was:

(a)

Accompanied by the minor's parent or guardian;

(b)

On an errand at the direction of the minor's parent or guardian, without any detour or stop;

(c)

In a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel;

(d)

Engaged in an employment activity, or going to or returning home from an employment activity, without any detour or stop;

(e)

Involved in an emergency;

(f)

On the sidewalk abutting the minor's residence or abutting the residence of a next-door neighbor if the neighbor did not complain to the Police Department about the minor's presence; or

(g)

Attending an official school, religious, or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the Township of Springfield, a civic organization, a religious organization or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor, or going to or returning home from, without any detour or stop, an official school, religious, or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the Township of Springfield, a civic organization, a religious organization or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor.

(2)

It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection B(3) that the owner, operator, or employee of an establishment promptly notified the Police Department that a minor was present on the premises of the establishment during curfew hours and refused to leave.

Enforcement. Before taking any enforcement action under this section, a police officer shall ask the apparent offender's age and reason for being in the public place. The officer shall not issue a citation or make an arrest under this section unless the officer reasonably believes that an offense has occurred and that, based on any response and other circumstances, no defense in Subsection C is present.

Penalties.

(1)

A person who violates a provision of this chapter is guilty of a separate offense for each day or part of a day during which the violation is committed, continued, or permitted. Each offense, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000.

§ 32-2 Review of regulations.

Within six months after the initial enforcement of this chapter, the Township Chief of Police shall review this chapter and report and make recommendations to the Township Board of Commissioners concerning the effectiveness of and the continuing need for the chapter. The Police Chief's report shall specifically include the following information:

The practicality of enforcing the chapter and any problems with enforcement identified by the Police Department;

The number of persons successfully prosecuted for a violation of the chapter; and

The Township's net cost of enforcing the chapter.

§ 32-3 When effective.

This chapter shall take effect immediately from and after its passage.