‘Its Midnight, do you know where your children are?’

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CurfewTHUNDER BAY – A resolution on the feasibility of a curfew will be brought to Thunder Bay City Council this evening. Westfort Ward Councillor and Police Services Board member Joe Virdiramo will propose: 

“With respect to imposing a curfew in the community we recommend that Administration prepare a report addressing the City’s authority to do so, steps toward implementation, expected outcomes and the issues and impacts of enforcement; 

“AND THAT the City of Thunder Bay Crime Prevention Council, Thunder Bay Police Service and any other relevant stakeholders be consulted in the preparation of the report;

“AND THAT the report be presented to City Council no later than the April 18, 2011 Administrative Services session of Committee of the Whole.”

Virdiramo’s motion will allow Council and Mayor Hobbs the first opportunity to see how they will work together, or not on an issue which has generated wide-spread debate across the city.

There currently is legislation in Ontario that impacts loitering for young people.

“From Child and Family Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER C.11

Allowing child to loiter, etc. 

No parent of a child less than sixteen years of age shall permit the child to,?(5)

(a) loiter in a public place between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.; or

(b) be in a place of public entertainment between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., unless the parent accompanies the child or authorizes a specified individual eighteen years of age or older to accompany the child.” 

Thunder Bay, should the Council decide to enact a curfew would not be alone in the move. 

In Red Deer Alberta, a city of just over 80,000 people in central Alberta, the Red Deer Advocate reports, “Administration has been reviewing the curfew bylaw since the Crime Prevention Advisory Committee suggested a change in April.

“The committee recommended the current bylaw expand the curfew time for youth under age 16 to midnight to 6 a.m., rather than continuing with the current at 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, and then incorporate the curfew with the Community Standards Bylaw. During the curfew time, young people must be at home or, if out in the community, they must be in the company of a parent or guardian.

“Legislative and Governance Services Department manager Elaine Vincent said she expects administration will come with a recommendation at the Dec. 13 or Jan. 10 meeting”.

Thunder Bay Council will discuss the issue at tonight’s meeting. You can catch council online or on Cable Ten.

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