From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Jefferson County Commission approved a countywide curfew on Tuesday, June 2. The curfew is from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m., effective immediately, until June 9.
SEE RELATED STORY: Jefferson County imposes curfew for unincorporated areas
The county is giving municipalities the option to adopt the curfew by passing their own ordinance, but the city of Trussville will not do so, according to Mayor Buddy Choat.
“We’re going to operate as normal under our current, juvenile ordinance we have until further notice,” said Choat.
Trussville’s curfew ordinance has been in effect for over 10 years. It applies to anyone under the age of 18. Juveniles may not be in a public place or on the premises of an establishment from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday and from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Trussville Police Chief Eric Rush said he would rather his officers focus on protecting citizens and businesses.
“We don’t want to restrict the movement of our law-abiding citizens,” said Rush. “A curfew takes time away from protecting the community.”
The police department is taking proactive steps by increasing patrols and coordinating with other agencies. Read more here.
The full ordinance can be read below.
Except as provided for in section 58-86 of this article, it shall be unlawful for a minor who is of legal driving age to be in a public place or in or upon the premises of an establishment:
(1) During Trussville City School System scheduled school hours;
(2) From 10:00 p.m. on any Sunday Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until 6:00 a.m. of the following day;
(3) From 11:00 p.m. on any Friday or Saturday until 6:00 a.m. of the following day;
(4) Holidays shall be the same as Friday and Saturday unless the following day is a regularly scheduled school day.
(b) Except as provided for in section 58-86 of this article, it shall be unlawful for a minor who is under the age of 16 years to be in a public place or in or upon the premises of an establishment;
(1) During Trussville City School System scheduled school hours;
(2) Between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(c) It shall be unlawful for a parent or custodian to permit or by insufficient control to allow a minor under the parent’s or custodian’s care or custody to violate this article.
(d) It shall be unlawful for an operator or establishment or an operator or establishment’s agents or employees to knowingly permit a minor to remain in or upon the premises over which the operator has supervision, custody or control, in violation of this article.
(e) It shall be unlawful for an operator or establishment within the Trussville City Limits to fail to conspicuously post and maintain on the business premises a current copy of the curfew hours.
(f) The provisions of this article shall apply with full force and effect to minors who are suspended, expelled or no longer currently enrolled in school.
(g) A separate offense shall be deemed committed for each violation of this article.
(Ord. No. 98-035-PS, § II, 10-27-98; Ord. No. 09-015-PS, § II, 5-12-09)