Proposed Dougherty curfew would set limits for teens, responsibilities for parents

ALBANY — Children younger than 18 would face nighttime restrictions in public places, and parents would have to arrange daytime supervision for students suspended or expelled from school, under a proposed ordinance discussed Monday by the Dougherty County Commission.

The draft would generally establish curfew hours from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., with a later start of midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Exceptions would accommodate school, work, recreation and other activities.

Commissioners reviewed the proposal during their Oct. 26 work session but did not vote on it.

Commissioner Gloria Gaines, who chairs the Government Affairs Committee, said the proposal follows ordinances in Albany and other Georgia counties. She said consistency would help avoid confusion for young people moving between the city and county.

“A young person has no idea whether they’re in the county or the city,” Gaines said.

Under the draft, minors generally would be prohibited from loitering, wandering, strolling or playing in public places during curfew hours without qualifying adult supervision, unless an exception applies.

The proposal defines public places broadly, including streets, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, restaurants, entertainment venues, parking lots and vacant land.

Exceptions would allow minors to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or another adult at least 21 with lawful care and custody of the child. Children also could be out on emergency errands directed by those adults or returning directly home from lawful employment.

Other exceptions cover activities involving freedom of speech, assembly or religion, certain vehicle travel with parental consent and emancipated minors.

County Attorney Alex Shalishali highlighted a provision covering minors attending, participating in or traveling directly to and from school, sports and recreational activities.

Shalishali said Commissioner Russell Gray raised early-morning hunting during the committee’s discussion. That prompted consideration of other activities that could put children outside before the proposed curfew ends at 6 a.m., including athletic practices and trips to bus stops.

“There are some schools and sports activities that actually practice before school begins,” Shalishali said.

He also pointed to his own daughters’ early bus schedule as an example of why the exception was needed.

The draft would prohibit parents, guardians and others with custody or control of a child from allowing nighttime violations. It calls for a warning citation for a first violation, with subsequent violations subject to prosecution and punishment under a separate county code provision.

A second section would establish supervision requirements for students who have been suspended or expelled from school.

During the hours those children otherwise would have attended school, parents or legal guardians would have to supervise them personally or arrange supervision by a responsible adult at least 21.

Those students generally could not be in public places during school hours unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or designated adult. An exception would allow qualifying employment and direct travel to and from work.

The proposal came to the full commission with a recommendation from the Government Affairs Committee. Commissioners did not announce an adoption date during Monday’s discussion.