As the beginning of the school year is upon us, the Escondido Police Department would like to remind all parents and children about the change in curfew time for the City of Escondido. Effective July 22, 2012, the curfew times of the City of Escondido are between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am.
The purpose of the curfew ordinance is to ensure the juveniles in our community are not out after certain hours of the day when they can become victimized or can get into trouble. The purpose of the curfew law is not to be zero tolerance and arrest every juvenile who is out after 10:00 pm.
The following activities are exceptions to the curfew law:
1) Minors who are working or returning home from work
2) Riding in a vehicle during interstate travel
3) Involved in an emergency
4) On an errand at the direction of their parent or guardian
5) With a parent or responsible adult
6) Exercising a First Amendment right protected by the U.S. Constitution
The police department will be doing curfew sweeps routinely in an effort to reduce the amount of curfew related crimes. One aspect of the sweeps will be to educate the community on the new curfew hours.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss the new curfew times with their children and ensure that they do not violate the new law inadvertently. Any questions regarding the curfew ordinance can be directed to Lt. Jim Stuard at 760-839-4704.
