LOWVILLE — Village trustees are considering a curfew to curb night-time wandering by youths.
"We've seen an increase in late-night, early-morning teen activity," Police Chief Eric F. Fredenburg told trustees Wednesday. "They're just milling around the streets."
There also have been reports of vandalism and petty theft, he said.
Officers have contacted some of the parents, and many were not aware their children were wandering around the village, Chief Fredenburg said.
If a curfew law is enacted, police wouldn't actively seek violators, the chief said. Instead, it would be used as a tool to discourage late-night antics, especially in cases where parents are unconcerned with their children's activities, he said.
The village now imposes curfews only on select occasions, such as Halloween night.
Curfews have been enacted in a couple other area villages, Village Attorney Mark G. Gebo said. They typically begin at 10 p.m. and target youths under the age of 16, since older ones may have jobs that require them to be out later, he said.
Most of the youths in question are under 16, Chief Fredenburg said.
Curfew laws typically hold parents and guardians responsible for keeping children off the streets, Mr. Gebo said.
Trustees asked Mr. Gebo to draw up a draft curfew law. A public hearing would need to be held before such a law could be enacted.
Trustees on Wednesday also again lifted the two-hour parking limit and other parking restrictions along State Street from 2 p.m. through the end of the Lewis County Fair Parade. This year's parade, which runs along State and Bostwick streets to the Lewis County Fairgrounds, will begin at 7 p.m. July 15.
For the past two years, village officials have formally lifted parking restrictions, with the intent that they be enforced before then. The idea is to keep parade-goers from using their vehicles — or items such as lawn chairs, coolers and caution tape — to reserve curbside viewing spots well in advance, as many have in past years.
The policy "seemed to work fair" last year, Chief Fredenburg said.
The Lewis County Fair runs from July 15 through 19.
