City commission set to vote on teen curfew ordinance amendment

October 11, 2020–5:00 p.m.

STAFF REPORTS

The Rome City Commission is set to vote on an amendment to the teen curfew ordinance when it meets Monday night.

The ordinance prohibits anyone under the age of 17 from being out past 11 p.m. with some exceptions.

A proposed change of wording would give police more latitude in enforcing the curfew.

The issue was discussed at length during the last commission meeting.

“The current situation is, we have some activity occurring downtown that is a little bit disruptive and a little bit of guidance is needed,” said Commissioner Mark Cochran.  “The way the ordinance is written, peace officers have to give a warning to start with.  This is now more of an opportunity for them to use this tool to, if they don’t see fit to issue a warning, to go ahead and issue a citation.  Just know that the city commission is working through exactly how to find some good, fun things for teenagers to do also.”

Rome Police Major Rodney Bailey stated that there are children as young as 10 or 11 being dropped off by their parents or guardians on Broad Street.

Other agenda items include a discussion regarding Christmas parade street vendors, a Georgia Department of Transportation Water and Sewer Utility Agreement for State Route Loop 1 and a final change order for the Walker Mountain Landfill Phase 8.

Commissioners will also hear a code enforcement presentation during the caucus, which begins at 5 p.m.

The regular commission meeting starts at 6:30.

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