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The Town of Fort Deposit has issued a youth curfew effective immediately. Police Chief Terry Steiner said the order is a measure aimed at keeping local youths safe and off the streets late at night.

The curfew was implemented after residents reported several occasions when youth were out late, riding all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and disturbing their neighbors.

“Kids [were] hanging out all times of the night, riding four-wheelers in the neighborhoods while people [were] trying to rest at night for work,” Steiner said. “[Residents] are concerned about [teenagers], with kids being kidnapped [in some other cities] and a girl getting raped in Montgomery. We are just trying to make sure that doesn’t happen here.” 

The curfew mandates that children ages 17 and under be indoors and off the streets Sunday through Thursday between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and on Friday and Saturday, midnight to 5 a.m. 

“On school nights and weekdays, they need to be at home doing homework,” Steiner said. “We want to keep these kids out of trouble. I think [teens] being in at a certain time of night, may not stop all problems, but it will stop some of them.”

Steiner said the decision to enforce a curfew was not based on one particular instance, but several occurring over a period of time. Fort Deposit Mayor Jacqulyn Davison-Boone was not immediately available for comment, but Steiner said a few situations which disturbed the peace in Edgewood and Gilbert Hill communities prompted the decision.

“Basically, kids have been hanging out late near Edgewood and Gilbert Hill, but also all over town,” Steiner said. “The curfew will be enforced throughout the entire area of Fort Deposit.

Officials have not limited the period during which the curfew will be in place, but Steiner confirmed the measure will be enforced for the foreseeable future.

Youths aged 17 and under who are caught outside their home during curfew hours will be taken home and their parents will be cautioned about the violation. On the second offense, stronger measures can be taken, including penalties that may impact both the teens and the parents, Steiner explained.

“We may have to put charges on the parents for letting [children] hang out after curfew,” Steiner said. “We may also have to get the courts and DHR (the Department of Human Resources] involved.”

Some exceptions could be made, Steiner said. For example, a youth how is with a parent or guardian or coming home from a sporting event or shift at work may be allowed to travel home safely without penalty.