City Council is required to renew its curfew ordinance every three years, which it last did in 2018, according to agenda documents.
“It’s a good tool for our police department; it is a good tool for parents, actually, as well as it allows teens to continue to have jobs and do necessary things to take care of,” Pearland Mayor Kevin Cole said.
The curfew hours for the ordinance are 11 p.m.-6 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, 12:01-6 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
The 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. weekday curfew will not apply on days schools are closed, according to agenda documents.
Violations of the curfew occur when a minor remains in a public place or a parent, guardian or owner or employee of a business allows a minor to remain on the premises during curfew hours, agenda documents read.
In 2018, there were three citations issued; in 2019 there were 15 citations issued; in 2020 there were three citations; and in 2021 there have been 11 citations issued, Pearland City Attorney Darrin Coker said.
Under the ordinance, a police officer must first ask a minor’s age and their reason for being in a public place or establishment. The officer will not issue a citation or make an arrest under this ordinance unless they believe an offense has occurred, according to agenda documents.
There are “defenses” to the curfew, some of which are if a minor is with their parent or guardian; the minor is on an errand at the direction of their parent or guardian, without any detour; if the minor is involved with interstate travel; or if the minor is involved in an emergency, according to agenda documents.
A person who violates the curfew could be fined up to $500. Additionally, each day of violation will be considered a separate offense, according to agenda documents.
“We do give ample opportunity for warnings or for parents to come and pick their child up, and that’s considered a preamble to enforcement in issuing a citation and using that as an education component to inform the parent that there is a curfew in place,” Pearland Assistant City Manager Ron Fraser said.
