South Lake Tahoe updates its juvenile curfew ordinance

The City of South Lake Tahoe has updated it’s Curfew Ordinance (18-1-3.7). Because of the recent changes and the desire by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department to enforce the ordinance from 1/1/2013 forward, we would like to update the community on the recent passage of the “Day Time Curfew.”

The Day Time Curfew Ordinance was requested by the School Resource Officer with the support of SLTPD Chief Brian Uhler. The intent of the ordinance is to deter juvenile crimes (Gang activity, graffiti, malicious mischief, drug abuse, delinquent acts and residential burglaries within the city limits) and to ensure juveniles are in school getting their education. The ordinance allows Law Enforcement to effectively deter truancy by imposing a progression of fines to a habitual truant. The fines start at $100.00 to a fourth offense that is a $500.00 fine within a year period. The fifth or more offense is a misdemeanor offense punishable with imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed 6 months and a $1,000.00 fine or both.

The ordinance was designed to ensure that students who have a valid excuse are not made accountable for their “excused” absences. In short any student who has a reasonable excuse or provides a provable valid excuse will not be held accountable for the ordinance (Reference 18-3.5, Curfew Defenses).

The SLTPD would ask that all parents with children under the age of 18, who attend public or private schools, refer to the SLT city website (Curfew Code Enforcement) for a full understanding of the Daytime Curfew update.

Because of the holidays and our desire to make the public aware, the SLTPD will not be taking any written actions until Jan. 1, 2013. The ordinance is currently in effect and was passed by the City of South Lake Tahoe City Council. Until Jan. 1, 2013 officers will only be issuing verbal warnings to violating students to allow them to get accustomed to the ordinance.
After Jan. 1, 2013, the School Resource Officer and South Lake Tahoe Police Department will be enforcing the ordinance.