Monessen gets rid of loophole in curfew law

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

The City of Monessen has made its curfew ordinance easier to enforce.

The ordinance as it exists remains in place, but it has been amended to eliminate some of the exceptions to the law that have been abused.

Mayor Matt Shorraw said there was a loophole in the ordinance as written that sidewalks and public rights of way didn’t count. 

“So you could have 20 kids in the right of way and we can’t do anything,” Shorraw said. “This adds the language of sidewalks and rights of way.”

There are several exceptions that will remain.

“It’s a safety issue,” Shorraw said. “There’s been some major incidents. Police have said to amend the ordinance.”

The key aspects of the ordinance also remain in place.

It is illegal for any person age 17 or younger to be on the streets of Monessen between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.  

Exceptions include minors accompanied by a parent, in a case of reasonable necessity, if a minor is on the sidewalk of their own home or next-door neighbor and when a minor is taking a direct route home from work or from a school activity and is still within 30 minutes of the end of that activity.

In special instances, minors can get permits from the mayor that they can carry with them. They can also carry a certified card of employment, renewable every month.

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