Dangriga says keep kids home at night
To combat crime and protect the children of Dangriga, the police will help the community enforce new rules to keep minors off the streets. A meeting was held last night with police at the request of the Town Board and citizens including teachers and members of the Ministries of Health and Human Development. It was decided that beginning this Saturday, children who are of primary school age will have to be off the streets by nine p.m. Those attending high school or under age 18 should be in by ten p.m. at the latest. If a minor is found on the streets they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, otherwise they will immediately be picked up by the police and questioned. The next step will be to bring in the parents and they must present a valid reason why their child is out of their home. If a child is found on the streets two times in a row, he or she will be sent to a truant officer or to the Department of Human Development. The Dangriga Town Board told News Five the decision was prompted by the recent rape and assault of a ten year old girl. They say they will be forwarding a document to the Solicitor General outlining what they would like to develop in terms of local legislation. Ministry of National Security says the new rules are consistent with the Ministry’s emphasis on community policing and involving residents in efforts to fight crime. If you’re wondering if this type of action is legal, Attorney General Dickie Bradley told News Five the police and community can only rely on moral persuasion to help enforce the new rules, but there is nothing that they can do to the children or the parents who violate the rules since it is not a true curfew. According to the law curfews can only be imposed in times of extreme emergency. In related news, the Dangriga Youth Development and Welfare Task Force says they have sent letters to all the nightclubs and bars reminding them they are not to sell liquor to minors. If club owners are found doing this they will be charged. Under the law anyone found guilty of this offense will have their liquor license suspended.
