St. John Parish Council considers curfew change
Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 7, 2012
By ROBIN SHANNON
L’Observateur
LAPLACE – Children in St. John the Baptist Parish will be expected to be in their homes an hour earlier on both school nights and weekends if a proposed ordinance gets the approval of the Parish Council.
The council will hold a public hearing and consider a vote on the measure at Tuesday’s meeting in Edgard. The council will also consider action on assorted insurance issues.
The ordinance will move curfew restrictions for children under 17 up an hour from 10 p.m. to 9 p.m. on school nights and from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays. District 5 Councilman Michael Wright, who proposed the ordinance, said the measure is a collaborative effort between the council and new St. John Sheriff Mike Tregre.
“Everyone on the council has pledged to work with the new sheriff, and we think this is a good way to start that partnership,” Wright said. “In conversations with Sheriff Tregre, he mentioned curfew issues were a concern.”
Tregre said he had been approached several times while campaigning for sheriff last year by residents who felt the curfew was not enforced very well. He said the restrictions will apply to both the east and west banks.
“In the event that a deputy finds a curfew breaker, the child will be picked up and booked as a juvenile, and their parents will have to come get them from the Sheriff’s Office,” Tregre said. “A mandatory court date will follow. “
In other action, the council will consider renewal of the general liability policies for the St. John Theatre and employees at the St. John Airport. The council will also vote on authorization to seek bids for worker’s compensation insurance for the fire department.
The council will also consider a certificate of substantial completion for the airnasium at the West Bank Park Complex in Edgard. The covered basketball court and attached restroom facilities were recently completed.
The council meets Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the St. John Courthouse, 2393 Louisiana Highway 18 in Edgard. A Finance Committee meeting will be held at 6 p.m.
