Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa is taking steps to implement a proposed juvenile curfew ordinance that will impact juveniles 15 years old and under. To educate the community about this ordinance, the City's Community Engagement & Partnerships team is hosting a panel discussion during the upcoming Family Summit. The event will provide an opportunity for community members to receive information from law enforcement, as well as family and teen development experts. The panel discussion will be followed by a brief Q&A session.

The Family Summit will take place on Tuesday, January 16, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Howard W. Blake High School. Parents, teens, and youth program leaders are encouraged to attend and participate in the discussion.

The proposed juvenile curfew ordinance is based on Florida State Statute s. 877.20, which aims to protect minors from harm and victimization, promote their safety and well-being, and reduce crime and violence committed by minors. This model curfew ordinance was enacted by the State Legislature in 1994 and, if passed as written, will be enforced citywide.

The curfew applies to juveniles under the age of 16 between the hours of 11:00 pm and 5:00 am from Sunday to Thursday, and between 12:01 am and 6:00 am on Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, or during school hours if the minor has been suspended or expelled. However, there are eight exceptions to the curfew, as outlined in the ordinance adopted from Florida Statute s.877.24. These exceptions include being accompanied by a parent or authorized adult, involved in an emergency errand with parental permission, exercising First Amendment rights, engaged in lawful employment or business-related activities, returning from school-sponsored or religious functions, being on their own property or on the property of a neighboring adult with permission, engaged in interstate or intrastate travel with parental consent, or attending an organized event at a theme park or entertainment complex.

In terms of consequences for violating the curfew, minors and their parents will face different penalties. For a first offense, a written warning will be issued to both the minor and parents. If there are subsequent offenses, it will be considered a civil infraction and a fine of $50 will be imposed for each violation to both the minor and parent.

The Tampa City Council will discuss the juvenile curfew on January 25 during its second reading of the proposed ordinance. This panel discussion and community engagement effort aims to provide valuable information to the public and allow for a better understanding of the potential impact of the curfew on the community.

For more information or to ask any questions, you can contact the City of Tampa at 306 East Jackson Street, Tampa, Florida 33602 or call (813) 274-8211. You can also connect with the City of Tampa on social media using the hashtag #TampaProud.

This panel discussion and the subsequent City Council meeting are important steps in the process of implementing the proposed juvenile curfew ordinance. It is crucial for community members to stay informed and participate in these discussions to ensure that the ordinance, if enacted, meets the needs and concerns of the community while ensuring the safety and well-being of juveniles.