This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Curfew Ordinance."

This is an updating of the Borough Curfew Ordinance of 1943 prescribing, in accordance with prevailing community standards, regulations for the conduct of minors on streets at night, effectively enforced, taught in the homes, internalized and adhered to for generations, all for the good of minors, for the furtherance of family responsibility and for the public good, safety and welfare. A. The Council finds that the curfew meets a very real local need, has been, over the years, a significant factor in minimizing juvenile delinquency and should be updated and amplified in the light of Middletown's local situation and facts, including the following. Middletown, the oldest community in (and antedating) Dauphin County, with clearly defined boundaries at the confluence of the Susquehanna River and Swatara Creek to its south and east and crossed at the north by the Pennsylvania Turnpike, has a compact built up area largely within a mile, and much of it within a half mile, of its Police Station at the 60 West Emaus Street Borough offices. It has, near its Police Station, a small central business district and a few manufacturing establishments. It is a residential community in an area traditionally classified as Pennsylvania Dutch. After 9:00 p.m. in this quiet community, as its people say, the sidewalks are rolled up. This community sense of the proper time for cessation of outdoor activities by minors on the streets is reflected in the curfew hours declared by this chapter, which take into consideration also the danger hours for nocturnal crime and for accumulations of minors with potential risks incident to immaturity. B. [Amended by Ord. No. 863 , approved ] The Council finds that compact Middletown is not overcrowded. Population density, as reflected in the Borough Comprehensive Plan, varies by neighborhoods from 43.7 per acre to 35 to 18.4 persons per acre. The total area is 1,304.7 acres; streets occupy 228.8 acres, 163.8 acres are devoted to public and semipublic uses, residential land use predominates and single-family dwellings occupy the largest portion of the residential area. The population density is 30 persons per acre in that portion of the Second Ward in eastern Middletown south of East Main Street, overlooking the Swatara Creek, now known as the Village of Pineford, a fifty-acre tract which the United States Government had acquired, while still undeveloped, by eminent domain proceedings in 1941; this unique fifty-acre tract is a planned residential development, with high-rise apartments, all owned by one firm, providing ample open spaces. Adequate indoor living space permits minors in Middletown to healthfully occupy their time. Commercial recreational facilities (one movie) are almost nonexistent, and there is little or nothing for minors to do outdoors, but roam the streets, after the curfew hours which this chapter declares. C. The Council finds that there are 2,841 minors, the 1970 census figure for persons under 18 years of age, residing in Middletown. There are fewer than 200 minors for each school grade. Middletown has three elementary schools, one in each of its three wards, one junior high school for Grades 7 and 8 in the central Second Ward, and one area high school in Lower Swatara Township which adjoins Middletown on the west and north. The comparatively few minors who reside in the Village of Pineford include 32 in high school and (attending the following schools nearby in the same Second Ward) 25 in junior high and 112 in elementary school. D. The Council further finds that the Middletown population (1970 census) is 9,080. There are 3,059 households (averaging two and 2.96 persons per household) and as many heads of households. In 2,069 households there are husband and wife. Of the 2,841 minors, 2,686 are classified in the 1970 census as "own child" of the head of the household in which they reside. Middletown is a stable family community. Parental responsibility for the whereabouts of children is the norm; legal sanctions to enforce such responsibility have had a demonstrated effectiveness over the years; as parental control increases, the likelihood of juvenile delinquency decreases; and there is a continuing need for the nocturnal curfew for minors, which has achieved and will continue to achieve, under local conditions, the purposes hereinbefore stated.

A. For the purposes of the Curfew Ordinance, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein: BOROUGH The Borough of Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, with administrative offices at 60 West Emaus Street, Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057. MINOR Any person under the age of 18 or, in equivalent phrasing often herein employed, any person 17 or fewer years of age. PARENT Any person having legal custody of a minor: (1) As a natural or adoptive parent; (2) As a legal guardian; (3) As a person who stands in loco parentis; or (4) As a person to whom legal custody has been given by order of court. REMAIN To stay behind, to tarry and to stay unnecessarily upon the streets, including the congregating of groups (or of interacting minors) totaling four or more persons, in which any minor involved would not be using the streets for ordinary or serious purposes, such as mere passage or going home. To implement that thought with additional precision and precaution, numerous exceptions are expressly defined in § 132-5. More and more exceptions become available with increasing years as appropriate in the interest of reasonable regulation which is intended by use of the meaningful phrase "be or remain" found constitutional in Baker v. Borough of Steelton, 17 Dauph. 17 (1912). [Amended by Ord. No. 701 , approved ] STREET A way or place, of whatever nature, open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel or, in the case of a sidewalk thereof, for pedestrian travel. The term "street" includes the legal right-of-way, including but not limited to the cartway of traffic lanes, the curb, the sidewalks, whether paved or unpaved, and any grass plots or other grounds found within the legal right-of-way of a street. The term "street" also applies, for curfew purposes, to ways the public is privileged to use over private property so long as the owner permits, including sidewalks and grassplots similarly open at the time to public use, and to parking areas of any type (residential, municipal or commercial) open to public use or from such "street" or any type of street. The term "street" applies irrespective of what it is called or formally named, whether alley, avenue, court, road or otherwise, or whether it is maintained by the Borough and irrespective of whether it is open to the use of the public as a matter of right. [Amended by Ord. No. 863 , approved ] TIME OF NIGHT Based upon the prevailing standard of time, whether Eastern standard time or Eastern daylight saving time, generally observed at that hour by the public in the Borough, prima facie the time then observed in the Borough administrative offices and Police Station. YEAR OF AGE Continues from one birthday, such as the seventeenth, to (but not including the day of) the next, such as the eighteenth birthday, making it clear that 17 or fewer years of age is herein treated as equivalent to the phrase "under 18 years of age," the latter phrase in practice, unfortunately, having confused a number of persons into the mistaken thought that eighteen-year olds might be involved. Similarly, for example, 11 or fewer years of age means "under 12 years of age." B. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words in the plural number include the singular, and words in the singular number include the plural. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.

It shall be unlawful for any person 17 or fewer years of age (under 18) to be or remain in or upon the streets within the Borough of Middletown at night during the period ending at 6:00 a.m. and beginning: A. At 10:00 p.m. for minors 11 or fewer years of age. B. At 10:30 p.m. for minors 12 years or 13 years of age. C. At 11:00 p.m. for minors 14 or more years of age.

A. [Amended by Ord. No. 701 , approved ; by Ord. No. 863 , approved ] In the following exceptional cases, a minor on a street within the Borough during the nocturnal hours for which § 132-4 is intended to provide the maximum limits of regulation (and a clear general guide for minors, their parents and their fellow citizens) shall not, however, be considered in violation of the Curfew Ordinance: (1) When accompanied by a parent of such minor. (2) When accompanied by an adult authorized by a parent of such minor to take said parent's place in accompanying said minor for a designated period of time and purpose within a specified area. (3) When exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech and the right of assembly. Such minor shall evidence the bona fides of such exercise by first delivering to communications center personnel at the Borough Municipal Building at 60 West Emaus Street, where and by whom high priority messages to the Mayor are regularly received, a written communication, signed by such minor and countersigned, if practicable, by a parent of such minor, with their home address and telephone number, addressed to the Mayor of the Borough, specifying when, where and in what manner said minor will be on the streets at night (during hours when the Curfew Ordinance is otherwise applicable to said minor) in the exercise of a First Amendment right specified in such communication. (4) In case of reasonable necessity, but only after such minor's parent has communicated to the Borough Police Station personnel the facts establishing such reasonable necessity, relating to specified streets at a designated time for a described purpose, including points of origin and destination. A copy of such communication, or of the police record thereof, duly certified by the Chief of Police to be correct, with an appropriate notation of the time it was received and of the names and address of such parent and minor, shall be admissible evidence. (5) When the minor is on the sidewalk of the place where such minor resides or on the sidewalk of either next-door neighbor not communicating an objection to the police officer. (6) When returning home, by a direct route from (and within 30 minutes of the termination of) a school activity or an activity of a religious or other voluntary association of which prior notice, indicating the place and probable time of termination, has been given in writing to and duly filed for immediate reference by the Chief of Police or the officer assigned by him on duty at the Police Station, thus encouraging (here as in other exceptional situations) conduct on the part of minors involved in such activities and striking a fair balance for any somewhat conflicting interests. (7) When authorized, by special permit from the Mayor, carried on the person of the minor thus authorized, as follows. When necessary nighttime activities of a minor may be inadequately provided for by other provisions of this chapter, then recourse may be had to the Mayor of the Borough, either for a regulation as provided in Subsection A(8) or for a special permit as the circumstances warrant. Upon the Mayor's finding of necessity for the use of the streets to the extent warranted by a written application (as judicially approved in People v. Walton, 161 P.2d 498, 502-503, Cal. App. 1945), signed by a minor and by a parent of such minor, if feasible, stating the name, age and address of such minor; the name, address and telephone number of a parent thereof; the height, weight, sex, color of eyes and hair and other physical characteristics of such minor; the necessity which requires such minor to remain upon the streets during the curfew hours otherwise applicable; and the street or route and the beginning and ending of the period of time involved by date and hour, the Mayor may grant a permit, in writing, for the use by such minor of such streets at such hours as, in the Mayor's opinion, may reasonably be necessary. In an emergency, this may be handled by telephone or other effective communication, with a corresponding record being made contemporaneously, either to the Mayor or, if unavailable, to the police officer authorized by the Mayor to act on his behalf in an emergency at the Police Station. (8) When authorized, by regulation issued by the Mayor, in other similar cases of reasonable necessity, similarly handled but adapted to necessary nighttime activities of more minors than can readily be dealt with on an individual special permit basis. Normally such regulation by the Mayor permitting use of the streets should be issued sufficiently in advance to permit appropriate publicity through news media and through other agencies such as the schools and shall define the activity, the scope of the use of the streets permitted, the period of time involved, not to extend more than 30 minutes beyond the time for termination of such activity, and the reason for finding that such regulation is reasonably necessary and is consistent with the purposes of this Curfew Ordinance. (9) When the minor carries a certified card of employment, renewable each calendar month when the current facts so warrant, dated or reissued not more than 45 days previously, signed by the Chief of Police, and briefly identifying the minor, the addresses of his home and of his place of employment and his hours of employment. (10) When the minor is, with parental consent, in a motor vehicle. This contemplates normal travel. From excess of caution, this clearly exempts bona fide interstate movement through Middletown, particularly on normal routes such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Route 230 (Main Street), Vine Street to connect with Route 283, Route 441 or, at times, Ann Street and the Wilson Street bridge. This also exempts interstate travel beginning or ending in Middletown. (11) When the minor is 17 years of age, if and when the Mayor shall have determined, by formal rule first reported to the Borough Council, spread upon its minutes and so reported in the press, finding the facts as to the extent (minimal) of juvenile delinquency in such age group permitting such rule, currently, in the best interest of said minors and of the Borough, then the Mayor, by such formal rule, covering a period of time designated therein or until recision thereof, not exceeding one year from the date thereof, may take appropriate action excepting designated minors, minors in a defined group or area or all minors (as the current facts may warrant) 17 years of age at the date or attaining 17 years of age during the period that such formal rule is and remains in effect. B. Each of the foregoing exceptions and their several limitations, such as provisions for notification, are severable, as hereinafter provided but here reemphasized; and additional, also severable, exceptions, broadening with the progress toward maturity of minors enrolled respectively in elementary, junior high and high schools, will be considered by the Council as warranted by future experience illuminated by the views of student government associations; school personnel; citizens; associations; ward, precinct and neighborhood spokesmen; parents; officers; and persons in authority concerned positively with minors as well as with juvenile delinquency.

[Amended by Ord. No. 863 , approved ] It shall be unlawful for a parent having legal custody of a minor knowingly to permit or by inefficient control to allow such minor to be or remain upon any street within the Borough under circumstances not constituting an exception to or otherwise beyond the scope of the Curfew Ordinance. The term "knowingly" includes knowledge which a parent should reasonably be expected to have concerning the whereabouts of a minor in that parent's legal custody. It is intended to continue to keep neglectful or careless parents up to a reasonable community standard of parental responsibility through an objective test. It shall, a fortiori, be no defense that a parent was completely indifferent to the activities or conduct or whereabouts of such minor.

A. A policeman of the Borough, upon finding or having attention called to any minor on the streets in prima facie violation of the Curfew Ordinance, normally shall take the minor to the Borough Police Station, where a parent shall immediately be notified to come for such minor, whereupon they shall be interrogated. This is intended to permit ascertainment, under constitutional safeguards, of relevant facts and to centralize responsibility in the Sergeant there and then on duty for accurate, effective, fair, impartial and uniform enforcement and recording, thus making available experienced supervisory personnel, the best of facilities and access to information and records. In the absence of convincing evidence, such as a birth certificate, a policeman on the street shall, in the first instance, use his best judgment in determining age. B. Police procedures shall constantly be refined in the light of experience and may provide, inter alia, that the policeman may deliver to a parent thereof a minor under appropriate circumstances, for example a minor of tender age near home whose identity and address may readily be ascertained or are known. C. In any event, such policeman shall, within 24 hours, file a written report with the Chief of Police or shall participate, to the extent of the information for which he is responsible, in the preparation, by himself and the Sergeant involved in such case, and in the filing of such report within 24 hours. D. When a parent, immediately called, has come to take charge of the minor and the appropriate information has been recorded, the minor shall be released to the custody of such parent. If the parent cannot be located or fails to take charge of the minor, then the minor shall be released to the juvenile authorities, except to the extent that, in accordance with police regulations, approved in advance by juvenile authorities, the minor may temporarily be entrusted to a relative, neighbor or other person who will, on behalf of a parent, assume the responsibility of caring for the minor pending the availability or arrival of a parent. E. In the case of a first violation by a minor, the Chief of Police shall, by certified mail, send to a parent written notice of said violation, with a warning that any subsequent violation will result in full enforcement of the Curfew Ordinance, including enforcement of parental responsibility and of applicable penalties.

Prevailing community standards and the real internalization thereof or interpersonal sanctions therefor that, in practice, count for much, as to when minors should be off the streets, reflected in this Curfew Ordinance, are hereby undergirded with the following legal sanctions. A. If, after the warning notice pursuant to § 132-7 of a first violation by a minor, a parent violates § 132-6 (in connection with a second violation by said minor), this shall be treated as a first offense by the parent. For such first parental offense, a parent shall be fined $25, and for each subsequent offense by a parent, the fine shall be increased by an additional $25 (e.g., $50 for the second, $75 for the third offense). The District Justice, upon finding a parent guilty, shall sentence the parent to pay such fine and the costs of prosecution and, upon refusal to pay such fine and costs, to be imprisoned in the jail of Dauphin County for a period not exceeding 10 days. B. [Amended by Ord. No. 943 ] Any minor who shall violate any of the provisions of the Curfew Ordinance more than three times shall be reported by the Mayor to a society or organization whose purpose it is to take charge of incorrigibles and delinquents, and proceedings shall then be taken, under the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 6301 et seq., before the juvenile court for the treatment, supervision and rehabilitation of such minor. C. A like procedure before the juvenile authorities shall be followed in any case where the imposing of a fine or fines upon a parent shall not be effective or where, for any other reason, the provisions of the Curfew Ordinance cannot be made effective by the imposing of penalties under this section.

Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of the Curfew Ordinance. If any provision, including inter alia any exception, part, phrase or term or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby, and the validity of the Curfew Ordinance, in any and all other respects, shall not be affected thereby. From excess of caution, the Mayor is authorized to give advisory opinions, in writing or immediately reduced to writing, which shall be binding and shall be adhered to by the police until the ordinance is amended in such respect, interpreting terms, phrases, parts or any provisions. Normally such advisory opinions shall be in response to good faith, signed letters, addressed to him at the Borough administration building, questioning as ambiguous, as having a potentially chilling effect on constitutional rights specifically invoked or as otherwise invalid, in all three categories with respect to proposed conduct definitely described. This administrative remedy must be exhausted prior to presenting to any court a question in any of said three categories. The Borough Council does not intend a result that is absurd, impossible of execution or unreasonable. It is intended that the Curfew Ordinance be held inapplicable in such cases, if any, where its application would be unconstitutional. A constitutional construction is intended and shall be given. The Council does not intend to violate the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the Constitution of the United States of America.