Chattanooga: City Council talks curfew laws

Chattanooga City Council members talked today during their legal and legislative committee meeting about toughening the city's curfew laws and enforcing them.

Councilman Peter Murphy, chairman of the committee, asked City Attorney Mike McMahan if the city's curfew laws were outdated.

"Are you of the opinion this ordinance could use some work?" Murphy asked.

McMahan said the city last updated the ordinance in 1986.

Council members offered suggestions for how to update the ordinance, including establishing fines for parents or legal guardians or offering an alternative such as community service and making sure the Chattanooga Police Department enforces the law.

Councilman Manny Rico said it has been hard in the past for police officers to enforce the law because they had no place to put minors caught outdoors after hours.

With the new juvenile detention facility at the old police precinct next to the South Chattanooga Recreation Center, that problem has been addressed, he said.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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