Supervisors enact nightly countywide curfew immediately

In light of an increase in violent criminal acts, the Wayne County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Wednesday, Aug. 6 to enact an immediate nightly county-wide curfew for minors under the age of 18. 

Board of Supervisors Attorney Walt Montgomery noted county leaders were taking the action to help ensure public safety.

“The county’s measure mirrors what is already on the books in the City of Waynesboro and puts the city and county in line with each other in terms of enforcement,” Montgomery told the panel. “The policy requires minors to be home between 10 p.m., and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday and from 11 p.m., to 6 a.m., on Fridays and Saturdays.”

Montgomery added the curfew specifies any minor violating the policy is subject to arrest and adjudication through the local court system. 

Additionally, any parent, guardian or other person responsible for the care and custody of a minor, who is determined to be in violation of the act, can be charged with a misdemeanor crime. This could result in a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 90 days of jail time.

“This ordinance goes into effect with its passage to preserve the public peace and ensure the health and safety of the citizens of the county,” Montgomery said. “So, this is in place as of today.”

County officials, including Sheriff Jerry “Juice” Mosley, said they are looking to eliminate situations where unsupervised young people are loitering, wandering and congregating.

“A curfew is something that will hopefully get the message across that violence – especially in instances involving or instigated by minors – is unacceptable anywhere in Wayne County,” Mosley said. “We know this curfew won’t solve all the problems, but gives law enforcement the ability to better deal with underage illegal activity county-wide.” 

Even with the curfew, Mosley said his deputies as well as Waynesboro police officers would have to have probable cause to pull over any vehicle, and will certainly be checking to see if those stopped during the curfew hours are minors.

The measure also encourages businesses to refrain from allowing minors to remain on and congregate at their premises during curfew hours. 

District 2 Supervisor Joe Dyess said he supported approval of the ordinance because of the concern he and his peers share with their constituents about rising crime and criminal acts. 

“We can’t sit back and do nothing,” Dyess said. “Things are not getting better, and we have to draw a line in the sand especially with unnecessary violence because lives are at stake.”

Board President Keith Clay, who represents District 4, agreed with Dyess and said he hoped the panel’s decision to implement a curfew sends a loud and clear message that violence has to stop.

“Our ordinance approved today and the one previously adopted by the city go hand-in-hand with each other and will hopefully remind parents and guardians they have a responsibility in making sure their children are under control and where they need to be,” Clay said. 

Supervisors said a good rule of thumb is for children under age 18 to be home by the start of the late local television news broadcasts.

“I remember before the news started that the announcer would ask viewers if they knew where their kids were,” Clay added. “Maybe we need to get back to that – especially on school nights to make sure youth aren’t out when they shouldn’t be.” 

The history of the curfew movement locally goes back to the mid-1990s when the Waynesboro Police Department sought a legal means through the city’s Board of Aldermen to address random acts of vandalism occurring at that time.

Wayne County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Geoffrey Clark, who worked for the city police force at the time, said the original curfew, once approved, did its job and reeled in underage illegal activity within Waynesboro’s corporate limits. 

“It was on the books and the repealer for the measure – that would have eventually ended the enforcement of the ordinance – was removed,” Clark said. “It’s still on the books for the city, and just has to be enforced. The county didn’t have this kind of rule, but with Wednesday’s approval by supervisors – everyone’s on the same page.” 

Exceptions to the curfew shall include: 

·         Minors who are accompanied by their parent, guardian or responsible adult with lawful care and custody for the minor.

·         Minors running an emergency errand at the direction of their parent, guardian or responsible adult.

·         Minors attending activities supervised by an adult such as religious or school meetings; sporting and organized events; and when minors are engaged in reasonable direct travel to and from such activities during the curfew period.

·         Minors engaged in legitimate employment or returning directly home from such employment during curfew hours.

·         Minors within 50 feet from their place of residence or when such minors are in a motor vehicle traveling through the county on an intrastate or interstate trip.

“Something like this – when it comes down to enforcement – is about common sense,” Mosley said. “We’re going to look at each situation and make a determination, based on the approved ordinance, what can be done. At the end of the day, we want everyone to be safe and feel safe in Wayne County.”