THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606070452
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 73 lines
Commissioner Stuart Wescott says a tougher curfew law that includes penalties for parents of youthful offenders would keep juvenile crime from growing in this town of 1,400.
Commissioner Edward Etheridge says a tougher curfew law is unenforceable, and isn't needed in this Roanoke Island community.
Cities large and small across America are taking a serious look at a stronger curfew law. Manteo Town attorney Dan Merrell and the Police Advisory Board will study the issue.
Manteo has a curfew for youngsters under 16 that prohibits loitering on town streets between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The ordinance does not apply to children attending school or church events, or returning home from local entertainment, such as the movies.
At Wednesday night's meeting of the town's Board of Commissioners, Wescott said that stiffer regulations are needed to keep juvenile crime in check.
Commissioners were provided with copies of a Parental Responsibility Law adopted by St. Clair Shores, Mich.
That ordinance provides for fines of up to $500 for parents, and up to 90 days in jail.
``There's been a lot of discussion about parents taking responsibility for their children,'' Wescott said. ``We have a small number of juvenile delinquents in town, and before that number grows, we need to do something before it's too late.''
Wescott, a local businessman, said one of his employees was jumped by a juvenile on the Manteo waterfront, and shoved into Shallowbag Bay. He said there have been several incidents of this type in the area.
``I have been victimized by kids on several occasions,'' Wescott said.``The police say there's nothing they can do about it.''
Etheridge says that while a curfew may be needed in large cities, that is not the case in Manteo.
``This is supposed to be a free country,'' Etheridge said. ``Even children have rights. If you live in a city like Detroit, I can see it. . . . This is something we ought to stay out of.''
Commissioner Curtis Creech, a member of the Police Advisory Board, said citizens are divided on the curfew question.
``I've talked to a lot of people about this,'' Creech said. ``There are a lot of mixed feelings.''
Manteo Police Chief James Ray Flowers, in a memorandum to Town Manager Kermit Skinner, said a parental responsibility law would do more harm than good.
``I find that parents today try to teach their children right from wrong and to respect the property of others and obey the laws,'' Flowers said. ``As for punishing the parents for the small amount of juvenile problems we have had in Manteo, it would do more damage with our public relations than good.''
While North Carolina law does provide for civil penalties against parents for acts of vandalism, Merrell said he not aware of any criminal penalties against parents whose children commit curfew violations or other crimes.
In other action, Manteo followed the lead of other Dare County municipalities by enacting a one-year ban on applications for adult-oriented businesses. The moratorium will allow the town's planning board to develop zoning ordinancesgoverning such establishments.
Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Southern Shores have passed similar moratoriums.
In other business, the commissioners:
Approved its 1996-97 budget of slightly more than $1 million. Manteo's property tax rate - 37 cents per each $100 in value - remains unchanged.
Approved a resolution supporting the celebration commemorating the Freedman's Colony on Roanoke Island. The June 23 event will be held at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
Adopted a resolution opposing the elimination of federal funds for dredging projects and the stabilization of Oregon Inlet.
Set public hearings for 7:30 p.m. July 3 on annexation requests by the Manteo Baptist Church, and by the Southland Corp. for its 7-Eleven convenience store on U.S. 64/264. by CNB