Now that it’s summer break, the South Bend Police Department issues reminders to parents and kids that the City has a curfew.
In South Bend, residents under 17 cannot be in a public place without a guardian from 11 pm to 5 am Sunday through Thursday. The curfew is 1 am to 5 am Friday and Saturday.
Residents under 15 cannot be in a public place without a guardian after 11 pm or before 5 am on any day of the week.
Current ordinance prohibits all residents, regardless of age, to remain in any park, golf course, playground, pavilion, picnic or swimming area later than 11pm. Persons found to violate curfew may be charged with trespassing.
“The primary goal of the City’s curfew law is to protect youth from victimization,” says Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski. “Curfews also prevent juvenile crime. It’s an effective strategy for keeping would-be offenders at home and off the streets.”
The penalty for violating curfew is $25 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense within a one-year period, and $200 for a third offense and every subsequent offense within a one-year period.