With the arrival of summer and the end of another school year, it is a good time to remind parents and children about the curfew ordinance in the Fountain. The curfew, which applies to all youths under the age of eighteen, is in effect Sunday through Thursday between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and Friday and Saturday between the hours of 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and 6:00 a.m. Anyone under the age of eighteen found loitering or engaging in a disorderly assembly in any public or private place during these time periods may be subject to a fine up to $1,000 if convicted. Additionally, any parent, guardian or legal custodian of a minor who is found in violation of this ordinance may also be charges with a violation of this code.

There are some exceptions to the curfew established in this ordinance, which allow juveniles to be out during the prohibited times. These include:

1. Any juvenile that is accompanied by a parent, step-parent, grandparent, guardian or person having legal custody.

2. Any juvenile accompanied by a person over 21 years of age, who has a written and signed authorization from a parent or guardian of the juvenile, to accompany the juvenile for a specific period of time and purpose.

3. Any juvenile traveling to or from lawful employment, for up to one half hour travel time, when the juvenile has in their possession a written and signed statement from the employer specifying the type, hours and place of employment.

4. Any number of juveniles going to or returning from in a reasonably prudent manner, an activity or event sponsored by a reputable organization such as a church or school or other activity involving the exercise of free speech or freedom of religion rights or the attendance of political, civic or religious meetings, when the assemblage is otherwise lawful and orderly.

This ordinance was adopted for the security and safety of all Fountain residents and visitors. Voluntary compliance with the ordinance by juveniles and their parents helps to improve the safety of our community and lower our crime and victimization rate. The Fountain Police Department enforces the ordinance on a continual basis making 113 curfew related arrests in 2007 and 23 so far in 2008.

Charles R. Crawford
Chief of Police
Fountain Police Department
719-382-8555
ccrawford@fountainpd.com

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
-Edmund Burke