The Tallulah City Council on Tuesday announced a citywide curfew for minors officials say is aimed at curbing violence among Tallulah’s youth.
Tallulah Chief of Police Buster McCoy said the curfew is in direct response to concerns over growing violence among younger residents and will be enforced with “zero tolerance” for offenders.
"Parents should know where their children are at all times,” McCoy said. “We really need the support of the parents, as well as the entire community, to make sure that our youth and our community are safe. Everything that my department does is always for the greater good.”
As part of the zero-tolerance approach, McCoy said fines will be levied against the parents or guardians of minors caught breaking curfew.
“Curfew violations fines can be as much as $300 and will have to be paid by parents or guardians,” McCoy said.
At Tuesday’s city council meeting, the matter was brought before the board as a community concern. Per city ordinance, any persons under 17 years of age who have not been emancipated under Louisiana law are not allowed to be in public areas between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and are not allowed to be out on Fridays and Saturdays between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. City officials said minors who are working, driving to or from work, performing a reasonable activity or who are with an adult guardian or parent can be out past curfew. In the case of an emergency, juveniles may also remain out past curfew.
