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Villa Rica Passes Curfew for Teens

The Villa Rica City Council unanimously passed a curfew on Tuesday Feb 2, 2010 for teenagers in the city limits of Villa Rica.

The curfew bans teenagers 17 and under from city streets after 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and after midnight Friday through Sunday. Exceptions will be made for teens coming from and going to work and church functions, and for those accompanied by an adult.

Police Chief Michael Mansour said the proposal is based on studying curfews used in other communities and it is meant to keep children safe and out of trouble.

“If they’re with their family or something like that, we’re not going to say anything, but when they’re out by themselves or with a group of teenagers they’ll be stopped,” Mansour said.

Though the measure was initiated by Mansour and his staff, Mayor J. Collins is supportive of the action regardless of any detractors.

“Kids are going to be kids, but Chief Mansour is being proactive and I support this proposal 150 percent,” Collins said. “Ninety-five percent of our kids are good kids, but there is that 5 percent who need a little bit of encouragement. It’s a shame we’re having to talk about doing this, but in reality some parents just aren’t doing their jobs and they’re expecting law enforcement to do their parenting.”

Though exceptions will be made for those coming and going for work purposes and church functions, or those who are accompanied by an adult, those 17 or younger out past curfew without any supervision will receive a warning the first time they’re caught, and monetary fines for subsequent offenses. The parents of habitual violators may be charged as well.

Mansour agreed with Collins’ assessment that it’s not all teenagers who are out late causing problems, but he said in some areas of the city it is beginning to be an issue his officers are dealing with on a regular basis.

“We’re not trying to keep these kids from having fun or hurt these kids in any way,” he said. “We’re just trying to make things a little bit safer. Maybe it will help get them home earlier and they’ll be safer so we don’t have these bad accidents and other incidents with kids involved.”

Address/Location
Villa Rica Police Department
101 Main St
Villa Rica, GA 30180

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 770-459-5149

Eddie Thompson
Administration
ethompson@villarica.org
770-459-5149