NORTHWOOD, Iowa – To give local law enforcement a tool against vandalism and delinquency, the Northwood city council unanimously approved the town’s first curfew ordinance Tuesday.

Wednesday, October 24, 2001

NORTHWOOD, Iowa – To give local law enforcement a tool against vandalism and delinquency, the Northwood city council unanimously approved the town’s first curfew ordinance Tuesday. The law will take effect on Halloween.

The ordinance prohibits children 16 and younger from public places after 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and after 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. After police issue a first-time warning, parents or guardians are subject to simple misdemeanor charges if their children do not observe the curfew, and both are subject to fines if the ordinance is repeatedly ignored.

&uot;Our vision is that the child be given community service and the parent or guardian be given a fine. But, in Iowa law, that would be up to the discretion of the judge,&uot; said Mayor Bob Perry.

The city council spent several months reviewing similar ordinances from across the state, Perry said. During that time, only one person came to a council meeting to express concern about a curfew ordinance, he said.

&uot;The council members have indicated, through their contacts with the townspeople, that nearly everyone supports the idea,&uot; Perry said.

Council members raised the curfew idea this summer in response to a rash of vandalism that cost the city more than $30,000. Incidents included damage to the city pool, public fountain, water tower and library.

&uot;I hesitate to speculate if the curfew will cure the vandalism problem, but it is another tool at the disposal of our police,&uot; Perry said. &uot;We view it as a public safety matter. Young kids are not safe if they’re out in the late-night or early-morning hours.&uot;