
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, August 13, 1995                   TAG: 9508140085
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: EMPORIA                                 LENGTH: Short

1 CURFEW MAY BRING ANOTHER

When a curfew law barred teen-agers in Emporia from hanging out late at night, they may have started looking for fun in surrounding Greensville County.

The result, some county residents say, is an increase in vandalism and loitering that has prompted the Board of Supervisors to consider its own curfew law.

Juanita Jefferson, president of a local citizens' organization, said her group proposed the curfew ``to get teen-agers in at a decent hour to keep down crime.''

She said youths from Emporia and Jefferson join local teens, especially on weekends, in drinking in yards and on street corners.

County Supervisor Jim Ewing said he has not received any calls from constituents about the proposed ordinance. He said he supports it ``if the people want it, but I'm not going to force it down their throat.''

A public hearing is scheduled Sept. 18.

According to the proposed ordinance, allowing unsupervised minors to stay out late exposes them to ``corrupting influences and denies them an equal opportunity to develop into responsible citizens.''

The proposed ordinance, which is similar to Emporia's, would exempt teens for emergency travel and those en route to or from work, school, church or civic activities.

Teens who break curfew could be fined up to $250. Parents could be fined up to $500.

by CNB