§ 54-2.004. Purpose.

(a)

Contra Costa County has a compelling interest in reducing the rate of juvenile crime and victimization. Minors are particularly vulnerable to violence and pressure to participate in criminal activity due to their limited ability to make informed and mature decisions. Enactment and enforcement of a daytime and nighttime juvenile curfew reduces the amount of crime by and against juveniles in the county (especially violent crime committed by and perpetrated against juveniles) and protects juveniles from harm.

(b)

A daytime curfew furthers the county's compelling interest in prohibiting daytime presence in public places by those subject to compulsory education. State law requires all persons between the ages of six and eighteen to attend school. The community as a whole suffers when a minor student is not attending school, as truancy often leads to vandalism, petty theft, daytime burglaries, damage to public property, and other criminal activity.

(c)

A daytime and nighttime curfew promotes the public health, safety, and general welfare during late night and school hours.

(d)

This chapter is intended to assist with the policing of public places during specified daytime and nighttime hours in order to prevent crimes by and against minors during those hours. It is not intended to interfere with or supersede the enforcement of state laws regulating education or truancy or with any local school districts' truancy programs. Rather, this chapter is intended to provide the county with an additional tool to protect youth and prevent crime.

(Ord. No. 2012-05, §§ I and II, 2-28-12)