Dawson curfew to be enforced
DAWSON – Parents will be fined if their underage children are not in the house by 9:30 p.m. this summer. That announcement was made by Dawson police officer Roger Adams during Monday’s regular council meeting. Adams, speaking to council said, “Citations will be issued to parents the second time I have to go to their house.
“We are serious about kids being off the streets by curfew, which is at 9:30 p.m. Anyone caught under the age of 18 will be taken home to their parents and the parents will be warned that the next time it’s going to cost them.”
Adams, who was hired at the beginning of the year to help rid the borough of vandalism said, “I have already warned a couple of parents that their kids are in violation of the curfew ordinance and if they (the kids) do it again their parents will pay for it.”
Adams said its time parents take responsibility for their children.
“Parents need to know where their kids are and what they are doing. There’s no reason these kids should be hanging out on a street corner at all hours of the night,” said Adams.
In a related matter, Adams issued his report from April 7 through June 9. In the report Adams said he had two thefts, two harassment cases, two suspicious persons incidents, two nuisance complaints, one abandoned vehicle, one disturbance, two-curfew violation, two reports of illegal operation of a motor vehicle and one hearing.
A citation was issued for criminal mischief and three citations were issued to a 16-year-old for operating an ATV on the streets of the borough. Adams said the ATV citations included one for illegal operation of an ATV, one for operating the vehicle without a driver’s license, and one for driving without insurance.
Total fines for the 16-year-old came to $525 plus court costs.
Adams also reported that two letters were sent by certified mail for ordinance violations. In addition, Adams said he has prepared two additional letters to be mailed on today for borough violations.
In other matters, council:
– Agreed to notify the Army Corps. of Engineers about a flooding problem on Route 819. Dawson Fire Chief Bob Keffer said several residents have been flooded out because an unnamed creek that runs along side Route 819 needs to be dredged.
– Keffer also said that large rocks in the creek bed have also caused the creek to overflow its banks during hard rains. “This problem is costing residents thousands of dollars in repairs,” said the fire chief.
– Keffer also ask council to pass an ordinance allowing the fire company to bill homeowner’s insurance agencies for fire service. Councilwoman Donna Martin said 90 percent of all homeowner’s policies have a clause that they will pay so much money for services rendered by fire companies.
– Solicitor Richard Husband said he is familiar with the ordinance and that he will get something together for the borough’s July meeting.
– Agreed to purchase a new air conditioner for council chambers and a new weed trimmer.