Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Minors bound by curfew even in summertimeBy Jeremy Langley

The fact that schools out for the summer doesnt change the city-wide curfew in effect in Gurdon for anyone under the age of 18.

According to Gurdon City Marshall Don Childres, those under 18 must be off of the streets by 11 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights. The curfew is extended to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

"If we see them out, we run them home," Childres said of juveniles who are found to be first time curfew violators.

If officers see the same juveniles continually breaking the curfew ordinance, fines can be assessed. Childres said that because parents are ultimately responsible for the actions of their children, the fines are usually assessed to the parents.

"But we can get them in juvenile court, too," he said.

The citys curfew has been in effect since October 2000, according to the archives of the Gurdon Times. Young people congregating had apparently created problems at the time, prompting the ordinance.

The number of youth violating the curfew ordinance is much lower now, Childres said. However, with school out for summer break, the numbers have increased some.

"Its worse at first," he said. "But after a while it kind of levels out. Most of them are home (by curfew) anyway."

Childres said residents of Gurdon should remember that the police department operates 24 hours a day seven days a week, and officers are always on duty.

"We are definitely out riding the streets at night," he said.