Do you know where your children are...

Back in the 1970s, there was a TV Public Service Announcement that went simply, "It's 11:00, do you know where your children are?"

Now that summertime is officially here, and since it doesn't even get dark until after 8:30 pm, it might be good time now to remind folks that the City of Greenville does have a curfew for juveniles under the age of  16.

Inside the city limits, it is unlawful for any juvenile less than 16 years old to be out on the public streets, or in any public place, at night after 11:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday nights.  A juvenile under 16 may not be in any public place after 12:00 am on Friday and Saturday nights.  The curfew is effective until 6:00 am each day.

This curfew ordinance was adopted by the Greenville City Council In September 2008.

At the time of its adoption into law, the City had determined that there had been a recent increase in juvenile violence and juvenile gang and crime activity.   Since becoming law, there have been about 20 curfew violations documented in case reports.

There are a number of exceptions to this ordinance.  Here are just a few:  A juvenile may be in the company of a parent or guardian, or other adult at least 18 years old.  The juvenile may be traveling to or from school, work, church, or some other place, or the juvenile may be participating in some other extracurricular activities recognized by the ordinance.

Whenever a police officer encounters a juvenile out after curfew hours, the officer is required to determine why the juvenile is out  and to notifiy the parents of the juvenile.  The officer may have to take the juvenile into custody for safekeeping if no parent or guardian can be located.

A juvenile who is in violation of this curfew may face court penalties, and be declared a deliquent.  Parents may be fined and held civilly liable, too.

The goal of this curfew isn't to punish juveniles or parents.  Rather it is intended to protect young people, to keep them safe, and to keep them from making mistakes that could affect them in very negative ways.

Getting back to that old TV announcement from the 1970s,  Here is a modern take: