Township of Washington, PA Chapter 149 Curfew

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Washington 9-2-1968 by Ord. No. 31. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 149-1 Statutory authority. [1]

Whereas, under Article XV of the Second Class Township Code,[2] townships of the second class are granted general power to take all needful means for securing the safety of persons or property within the Township, and the Supervisors of Washington Township hereby declare that the adoption of this chapter is necessary for securing the safety of persons or property within the Township of Washington.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III).

[2] Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 66527.

§ 149-2 Curfew established.

It shall be unlawful for any child under the age of 17 years to be or remain in or upon any of the public streets, highways, alleys, parks or other public places of the Township of Washington, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m., unless such child shall be relieved from the application of this section under the terms of § 149-3 of this chapter.

§ 149-3 Exceptions.

The prohibition of Section II shall not apply to any child under the age of 17 years under the following circumstances:

A. When such child shall be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other person having the regular care or custody of such child;

B. When such child's employment makes it necessary for such child to be in or upon said public streets, highways, alleys, parks or other public places between such hours and such child shall have a certificate for that effect signed by Chief of Police of the Township of Washington, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

§ 149-4 Grant of extended time.

The Chief of Police of the Township of Washington, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, is specifically authorized to extend the time during which children under the age of 17 years may be in or upon the public streets, highways, alleys, parks or other public places of the Township of Washington for the purpose of permitting attendance at religious, educational or recreational activities; provided, however, that the Chief of Police shall, by public proclamation, give notice specifying the event for which the extension is granted, the day or days for which it is granted, and the hours of the extension.

§ 149-5 Responsibility or parent or guardian.

It shall be unlawful for any parent, guardian or other person having the legal care or custody of a child under the age of 17 years to allow or permit such child to be in or upon any of the public streets, highways, alleys, parks or other public places of the said Township of Washington, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, between the hours hereinabove set forth, or as extended by proclamation by the Chief of Police and except as specified in § 149-3 of this chapter.

§ 149-6 Violations and penalties.

[Amended 9-15-1997 by Ord. No. 141]

Any person charged with a violation of any section of this chapter shall, upon summary conviction before a Magisterial District Judge, be sentenced to pay criminal fines of $50 for the first offense arising on any day or portion thereof; of $100 for the second offense arising on any day or portion thereof; and an additional fine of up to $500 for each subsequent offense arising on any day or portion thereof. This chapter shall be enforced in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.