By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Those under 18 that stay out too late will need an alibi for more than their parents in the city of Plymouth.
The Plymouth Common Council voted to approve a new curfew ordinance —essentially a re-working of the city’s old ordinance — which sets a midnight deadline on Friday and Saturday and a Sunday through Thursday time of 11 p.m. for those between ages 15 and 17 to be off the streets.
For those under 15, 10 p.m. is the curfew every night of the week and a 9 p.m. curfew is in effect every night for Oakhill Cemetery.

The ordinance, passed by a unanimous vote of the council, was an amended version of the 1995 ordinance that adds provisions of federal courts to insure that first amendment rights are not infringed upon.
A first offense would bring a fine of $10, the second a fine of $25, payable by the offender. A third offense would bring a $50 fine, payable by the offender’s parents as well as reporting to the appropriate juvenile authorities.
Discussion centered on Councilman Wayne Smith’s question of how offenders would be detained. Though the ordinance states that offenders will be held until picked up by parent or guardian, or until 5 a.m., law does not permit the incarceration of juveniles. Law does not permit chaining or handcuffing of juveniles either.
During the time of the old ordinance, offenders were held in the lobby of the police department building under the supervision of the dispatcher on duty. City Attorney Nelson Chipman informed the board when questioned that there was actually nothing to keep an offender from simply walking away.
“However at that point all pertinent information would have been obtained and a citation issued,” said Chipman. “It wouldn’t be all that difficult to find them. If they have reached the point of just walking away, there’s probably more of a problem than simply being out too late.”
Police Chief Jim Cox concurred saying that he felt that his department wouldn’t “…have any trouble with local kids. That $50 fine will be a rarity.”
He added that his department has most trouble with juveniles that are not from the area whose parents — many of whom may work nights — don’t even know their children are in Plymouth. He also concurred with Chipman that in the case of repeat offenders, “…most of the time we have other issues involved.”
Councilman Chuck Ripley, chairing the meeting for Mayor Mark Senter who is on a mission trip for the week, called the ordinance, “…a starting place. We’ll change it over time if we have to.”