The City of Hudson Oaks City Council adopted a teen curfew ordinance to provide police officers an added tool in the protection of life and public property.

The ordinance establishes curfew guidelines for minors under the age 17. The curfew hours are from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday and midnight to 6:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The curfew is applicable, but not limited to, streets, highways, parks, parking lots of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transportation facilities, commercial shopping centers, and shops.

Minors or parents/guardians maybe in violation of the ordinance if the following occurs: a minor remains in any public place or on the premise of any establishment within the city during curfew hours. A parent or guardian knowingly permits, or by insufficient control, allows a minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the city during curfew hours. The owner, operator, or any employee of an establishment could also be in violation of the ordinance if the owner, operator, or employee knowingly allows a minor to remain upon the premise of the establishment during curfew hours. Violators of the ordinance could receive a fine up to $500.00.

The ordinance does allow for certain exceptions such as emergencies or minors returning home from a official school, religious, or other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by a civic organization, a school district or another similar entity that takes responsibility for a minor. Minors involved in interstate travel are granted an exception as well.

State law requires the ordinance to be reviewed and renewed every three years. The new ordinance will not take effect until a notice of intent is published in the local newspaper. Staff is preparing the notice and should have it published in the Community News during the month of October.

The City will initiate a campaign to educate businesses and residents about the new ordinance. Please check back to www.hudsonoaks.com for further updates.