According to police, this is the result of unspecified "incidents" during late evening and early morning. That's horseshit. A review if Borough Council minutes, going back to the beginning of the year, shows there's been no public hue and outcry over some dangerous teen menace. Moreover, aside from trying to sell revolvers in some sweetheart deal and appointing supervisors and investigators, there are no warnings from the police. There was an increase in police activity during one month over the summer, which is to be expected. In short, this curfew is the solution to a nonexistent problem.
If such a curfew were adopted, there is no doubt in my mind it would be arbitrarily enforced against those whose parents have no connections as well as the borough's minority population. In the not-too-distant past, Borough police included an officer who openly admitted he hated black people.
In addition, it would violate a settlement agreement in a civil rights lawsuit under which the Borough agreed to respect the First Amendment rights of citizens, which presumably include this nonexistent teen menace.
Moreover, study after study has shown they are ineffective.
If Borough Council really wanted to eliminate crime, they should start with two members of Council who were placed on first offender programs for theft and corrupt activity. There's even a member whose name is "Crook!"
Council will be discussing this Tuesday night, 7 pm.
22 comments:
The sticker goons are back!
Bernie,
I have to disagree with you on this one. I took the time to read the proposed ordinance and the hours are not overly restrictive. The "kids" are those under 18, who shouldn't be wandering around neighborhoods in the wee hours. There are plenty of exceptions to the curfew being enforced (work, outside at home, errand from parent, etc.).
I grew up with a curfew. Not only from the town, but a more restrictive one from my parents and my argument that the town said it was OK to be out later than "dark" (unless I had permission) didn't prevent my punishment for breaking curfew.
If the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child" is to be believed then sometimes the village needs to step in when parents don't give a shit that little Tommy or Tammy isn't home by 11:00pm (or 12:00am on Friday and Saturday nights).
Nazareth Borough Council entering the parenting business is putting the fox in charge of the hen house. I've raised my kids very specifically to be respectful and law abiding and NOT act like anyone on Nazareth Borough Council. Will any be wearing ankle bracelets as they vote on the ordinance? Must voting members report to their POs after the meeting? Will voting members be drug tested per their probation, prior to voting on such important matters?
Putting aside some of those on Nazareth council aren't the greatest people, the proposed ordinance should be considered on its own merit.
Is it good or bad? Does it have the potential to help police and residents prevent vandalism and other problems.
Let's imagine a kid is caught breaking town curfew. Cop normally couldn't do a search of a backpack if no curfew is in place. Curfew violation allows him to search. Spray paint cans found, items that could have come from a car, or nothing suspicious?
Each could be treated differently, from finding the little turd who tagged a car or garage in the nearby alley, to a ride home and a reminder to parents.
8:54, Your reference to kids as "little turds" tells me all I need to know about you. The turds are the ones on Council, and they aren't little.
They are a "little turd" and that's using less offensive language if they tagged a car or garage. Got it BO. You dislike naz leadership. Your post was less about the ordinance and more about the council members.
Bernie, aren't the ones on counsil the treasonist ones selling the children's children's future for there own glutonious ills!
PARENTS need to PARENT. That's the problem. Agree 100% for curfew!
According to police, this is the result of unspecified "incidents"
Seems to me if you want to infringe on peoples rights you should state what those incidents are and how many? Kids who don't give a crap aren't going to abide by this anyway. Not exactly a way for police to endear themselves. It also seems wrong to me for someone to have to be on the defense in order to explain to some over eager judgmental stranger cop your innocence without having done nothing suspicious. Yes we know kids can be smartasses sometimes... but so can be cops.
PARENTS need to PARENT. That's the problem. Agree 100% for curfew!
Many are. Fact is more adults commit crimes then the underage.. why not a total curfew on everyone?. How'd that work for you?
A typically vulgar comment from criminal defendant Tricia Mezzacappa, who uses Tricia Phillips as an alias, has been deleted.
"According to police, this is the result of unspecified "incidents"
Seems to me if you want to infringe on peoples rights you should state what those incidents are and how many?"
100%
I'll support a curfew, but only after they enact one for Carl "I only stole 8 grand" Strye. He still walks the streets and has perpetrated more wrong doing than 99% of Nazareth's citizens - including children. You can look it up. Discussions of council's criminal pasts is absolutely germane. The record shows they're a more of a threat to law and order than anyone else in the borough.
The septic of the Lehigh Valley has once again purged itself into the slime light. Naz was once the jewel of the Valley and now is the laughing stock as it is managed and officiated by derelicts, scoundrels and thieves.
You going to the council meeting tonight? This ordinance is overkill.
The December 2nd snowfall has caused Council President Daniel Chiavaroli to postpone the Monday, December 2nd Council Business Meeting. Instead, Council will conduct business on Tuesday evening, December 3, 2019 at 6:00 pm at Council Chambers. At this, the final 2019 meeting of Council, retiring Councilmen Larry Stoudt and Frank Maurek will be honored for their long tenure of service along with Fire Chief John deutsch who is leaving volunteer fire service after 38 years. Council will also honor the Nazareth High School District XI Championship Football Team at the meeting's onset. Residents of the Borough are also reminded to remove snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours of the end of this and any future snow event as per the Borough's Property Maintenance Ordinance. The Borough's Code Officer will be making his rounds to ensure that all walks have been cleaned
4:48, I believe the rescheduled meeting violates the Sunshine Act,and will explain tomorrow.
It does. Only exception is a declared emergency.
The mayor state it was because of three juveniles. That is kind of insane to propose a curfew that affects an entire town of kids over three people.
Why can't you guys over there be a good borough, like Walnutport, or Northampton?
When will Nazareth start hiring competent police officers. Over the years a few officers seem to be the problem making entire force seem out of touch
Do you mean unattended and unsupervised children are not already assisted by the police when seen at unusual places and times?
Why call it a curfew or make it a crime just investigate and if necessary render assistance.
Why not pass a law saying you can't commit crimes between 11pm to 7am and send the nightshift home?
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