City Council on Tuesday adopted an earlier curfew for unaccompanied minors, which is meant to help police address large unpermitted gatherings that can suddenly arise when promoted on social media.
The curfew for unaccompanied minors shifts from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. Officials said there are exceptions, including for young people traveling to and from work.
After a discussion earlier in the day, council voted to implement the change in 30 days to raise awareness, with it in place by April, when unplanned events tend to begin at the resort.
“I really hope these young people are going to have some time to know that it’s 10 o’clock, not 11 o’clock so they don’t get in trouble for something they didn’t know about,” Councilmember Barbara Henley said during a meeting Tuesday before the vote.
City Manager Patrick Duhaney said staff is working to communicate the change while ensuring people know about exceptions to the curfew.
“It really is for unaccompanied minors that don’t have a reason to be out beyond 10 o’clock,” he said.
Police Chief Paul Neudigate told WHRO the plan gives police another tool to deal with large, sudden gatherings that can pose safety issues.
“What we’re looking for is compliance,” he said. “We’re not looking to make arrests.”
The step lets parents and guardians know the city faces problems with these large groups and that their help is needed, he said.
“We are not looking to make this a blanket approach, 365 days a year,” Neudigate said. “It’s going to be for those times and circumstances when we know from previous experience that we may have a youth-related issue with large crowds.”
Officials have said they’re already seeing unpermitted events advertised on social media for April.
The city had been watching a bill in Richmond that would allow localities to establish “pop-up event zones” with enhanced enforcement, butit was continued to next year.
Del. Virgil Thornton recently told WHRO it’s a concern in other Virginia communities, too.
Also Tuesday, council passed new constraints on displays of campaign signs at polling locations on city property.
It prohibits non-governmental signs at the new location of the Voter Registration & Elections office on Studio Drive and allows signs at polling locations on city property only after 6 p.m. the day immediately before Election Day.
Signs will not be allowed at satellite voting locations on city property for in-person early voting before Election Day. There are also limits on where signs can be placed and size limits. Rules will be provided to campaigns.
There is a referendum about congressional districts in April, with early voting in March. Some council members said the referendum may let the city refine rules before local elections in November.
