Photo by Samantha BryantCurfew hours for juveniles are now in effect in Hutto after City Council members approved an ordinance establishing a curfew April 19.
The evening curfew hours are Sun.–Thu. 11 p.m.–6 a.m. and Sat.–Sun. 12:01 a.m.–6 a.m. During the day, the curfew is in effect from 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. on Hutto ISD school days.
Hutto initially established a curfew in 2005 for children younger than 17, but it was not renewed in 2011.
Karen Ellis, who lives outside of city limits but within Hutto ISD, spoke at the public hearing April 19 against the daytime curfew. Ellis is the parent of a home-schooled student and said the curfew was unfriendly not just to home-schooled students but also college students who are 17 or younger and college-age students who appear younger than they are.
Ellis said she excited about Hutto becoming a college town with the addition of the East Williamson County Higher Education Center.
"I am concerned that this law is or will be perceived as unfriendly to TSTC [Texas State Technical College] students and other college students," she said.
Police Chief Peter Scheets said he added an exemption into the ordinance for home-schooled students after speaking with several parents about the issue, and he is open to speaking with home school groups about their concerns.
Other exemptions for minors include being accompanied by a parent or guardian, if they are on an errand at the direction of a parent or guardian, if they are involved in interstate travel, if they have an emergency, if the activity relates to the juvenile's employment or if the child is in front of or on property adjacent to his or her home.
During a one-year period while the curfew was in effect in 2010–11, Scheets said there were 34 juvenile-related cases during curfew hours. Between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., there were 14 cases, which were all related to Hutto High School students either attempting to leave campus or return, Scheets said.
He said the curfew is not meant to create fear in home-schooled students, but to protect juveniles from harm and prevent delinquent youth from committing crimes.
Scheets said police use the ordinance as a tool to make contact with juveniles and investigate further if needed.
"Our first concern is to make sure the juvenile is safe," he said.
Records show an increase in juvenile citations for disorderly conduct by Hutto Police, Scheets said. In 2008, there were 12 cases, and in 2011 police recorded 16.
