[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of West Manheim 2-3-2000 by Ord. No. 1-2000. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Parks and recreation areas — See Ch. 172.
This chapter shall be known and may be referred to as the "Curfew
Ordinance."
This is a chapter prescribing regulations for the conduct of
minors in public places in West Manheim Township during specified
hours. This chapter has the following purposes:
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from
the context:
Person under the age of 18 years.
Any natural parent of a minor, as herein defined, or a guardian,
or any adult person responsible for the care and custody of a minor.
When used in this chapter, "parent" shall mean one or both parents.
Any public street, alley, sidewalk, park, playground, public
building or vacant lot within West Manheim Township.
To stay behind, or tarry unnecessarily upon the streets.
Not to include minors involved in emergencies or ordinary purposes
such as mere passage through the Township, returning home directly
from school activities or a place of employment.
It shall be unlawful for minors to be in or upon, or to remain
in or upon, any public space in the West Manheim Township at night
after the hour of 11:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. the following morning,
prevailing time, unless such minor is accompanied by any parent, guardian
or other person having the legal custody of such minor.
It shall be unlawful for any parent, guardian, or person having
legal care or custody of a minor to intentionally or knowingly permit
such minor to violate any provisions of this chapter.
A.
Any minor found upon public space within West Manheim Township, in violation of § 118-4 of this chapter, shall be taken into custody by the Township police, who shall either notify or deliver said minor to a parent, responsible person, guardian or person having the legal custody of said minor and make a report thereof on the departmental Offense and Incident Log Book.
B.
Police officers shall have ultimate discretion in dealing with curfew
violations, but, generally, the officer should issue a warning for
the first-time offender. Second and subsequent violations of this
chapter shall be referred to the Magisterial District Judge.
C.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter shall,
upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial
District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of
not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment
thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation
continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate
offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated shall also
constitute a separate offense.[1]
The police officers of the Township, in taking minors into custody
under this chapter, shall use their discretion in determining age
and in doubtful cases may require positive proof, and, until such
proof is furnished, the officer's judgment shall prevail.