Milledgeville leaders and police consider curfew for juveniles

Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan says a new curfew is needed due to a spike in juvenile crime.

MILLEDGEVILLE , Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Milledgeville leaders and police say they have been actively considering a curfew for kids 16 and younger in response to an ongoing spike in juvenile crime.

“We want to make sure we are covered and make sure we are protecting our community,” Milledgeville Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan said. “Because of course, every council person from the Mayor to City Manager, down to every Alderman, we do want the community to be protected.”

Milledgeville Police Chief Dray Swicord explained what would happen if juveniles are caught out past curfew hours, saying a warning would be given for the first time, and anytime after that would result in a fine. 

“That’s the whole point of the ordinance is to hold them more accountable, for guardians and parents to be aware of where they’re at,” he said. “Because most times the kids we get at night, the parents don’t even know they are gone.”

He says this just isn’t an issue happening within the community. 

“I think in general, United States wide it’s getting more and more popular for teenage kids to come out and cause havoc,” he said. “It’s a very small portion of our kids that we deal with continuously, not everybody. But we’re just hoping this will at least give us some teeth to try to get the parents or guardians to take responsibility.”

Mayor Parham-Copelan says they’ll do everything they can to keep the youth safe, but it all starts at home.

“Things that start that early in the morning we do have supervision, especially with schools, churches, etc.,” she said. “My thing I share with parents all the time is you are responsible for your children. Our law enforcement is here to protect and to serve; they’re not here to babysit, although they have to 99% of the time. Major Boyer, I know, is out talking to parents telling them what to look out for, and that you’re responsible for your child.”

The current proposal calls for a curfew Sunday through Thursday from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m., and Friday through Saturday from midnight until 5 a.m.

City council says it will decide on changes Tuesday, June 9 during its meeting.