The Lima Police Department wants to remind the community that summer curfew hours are in effect throughout Allen County. Children need to be home by a certain hour if they are not with an adult.
In the City of Lima, children under the age of 13 must be in by 9pm. 13 to 15 year olds have curfew at 10pm, while 16 and 17 year olds have to be home by midnight. If officers see children out after curfew they will stop and talk to them, if they are in violation, they will be taken to the police department, arrested and will have to appear in juvenile court. The city says they have set curfews for minors not as a punishment but as a safety measure for them. Parents who allow their children to be out after curfew could face charges as well.
"The later it gets at night, not only does it get dark and visibility goes down and children could be struck by a motor vehicle, things like that. But, criminal element is out during the night time hours often times and there are people out there that want to prey on children, so the safest place for a child to be during the late evening hours is at home with their parents," said Lt. Andy Green.
Green also wants to remind residents of the city's noise ordinance. With the summer months it seems music volumes tend to increase. He is asking residents to be considerate to their neighbors and keep the noise at a reasonable level.
