By Felix Hoover

For YourNewsColumbus.com

Posted 06-1-09

 

 

The end of the school year means it's curfew time for children in Columbus, but with a few new wrinkles from a year ago.

 

Under a law that has been on the books 35 year, the city actually could have been enforcing the curfew year-round, but hadn't until a pilot program was instituted last summer, city amd county officials said at a news conference on Thursdav at Franklin County Children Services.

 

"We want our parents and our children to recognize that children under 17 need to be home by midnight, that policy has not changed," Mayor Michael B. Coleman said.

Last year's effort was three days a week, with police working in conjunction with the YMCA.

 

"This year, we will be issuing a summons, which is like a ticket," Coleman said.

 

Police will take children home and try to take them to parents or a responsible adult.

If that's not possible, the children will be taken to the Intake Department at Children Services, where they will stay until they're picked up by parents or responsible adults.

 

Unlike the YMCA, which could only urge families to get needed help, Children Services has the authority to intervene, Coleman said.

 

Children Services will attempt to link families with appropriate support, Assistant Director Pam Schirner said.

 

She also said that if families are struggling, they can refer to www.co.franklin.oh.us/children_services for help.

 

Last year's program ran Thursday through Saturday, but this year's will be seven days a week, said City Council.member Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the public safety committee

 

County Commissioner Paula Brooks said, "There's not much good going on at three in the morning."

 

Even though much of the county is outside the city's jurisdiction, many communities have their own curfews, she said.

 

A recurring theme at the news conference was that enforcement effort is not to punish, but rather to protect childen from being victimized.

 

Protecting children doesn't just mean safeguarding them against physical harm, but also from being coerced into illegal activity by manipulative adults, said Police Commander Richard A. Bash.

 

Although the curfew deals with nighttime activities, the city has concerns about what happens during the day, especially in light of the closing of many recreation centers because of budgetary restraints, Coleman said.

 

There are, however, youth programs available, including jobs for 2,500 young people announced last week as part of the federal stimulus package.

 

"That's where parents need to step up," Coleman said. "Part of being a parent is to figure it out, to actively seek out programs and activities for young people and get them involved."