New Abbeville curfew begins

Beginning at 8:30 p.m. tonight, changes regarding the curfew for anyone under 18 will go into effect.
The Abbeville City Council approved the ordinance last month.
Among the changes are that those under 18 who are not accompanied by a parent(s), guardian(s), or other adult having the care and custody of the minor must be off the streets by 8:30 p.m., until 5 a.m., on Sundays through Thursdays, and from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
“I want to make sure there’s clear communication,” Councilman Francis Touchet Jr. said during Tuesday’s regular city council meeting. “We do have school activities that are going on. We have baseball that is taking place at our parks, and so on.
“I want to make sure everyone is clear.”
Chief of Police Mike Hardy said officers would use discretion for minors who are heading home from work, a sporting event or other school activities.
Mayor Roslyn White said on Tuesday that the city had made a concerted effort to create awareness for the curfew change.
“A postcard went out to households through the postal service,” White said. “It gives a summary to the minor curfew and where they can get the full information. We notified all the businesses. That’s something (our) staff worked on last week. We called, informing that their underage workers could still work, but to notify the cops that they are coming and going from work.”
White said she has spoken with Vermilion Parish School Superintendent Tommy Byler and representatives from Vermilion Catholic and Harvest Time Christian Academy.
“They are going to use their means to notify students and parents,” White said. “We talked to all the schools and got the dates and times for their graduations. We will make sure the chief knows that so that all of his officers are aware. All the graduations start around 7 or 7:30 (p.m.).”
The city also issued a text message through Nixle.
“We are also working on signage for A.A. Comeux Park,” White said.
Along with changing the time and age, the ordinance will include minimum penalties for parents and guardians. Penalties include not less than $50 for the first violation, $75 for the second, $100 for a third, and not exceeding $500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 60 days for further violations. The ordinance does allow for community service as an alternative to a fine at the court’s discretion.
Hardy said his officers have prepared for the change and have a plan in place.
“Our guys will stop them and explain why they are being stopped,” Hardy said. “We will issue some warnings at first, but we are going to document each case. After that, we are going to contact the parents.”
Touchet said it’s about education as this change is rolled out.
“Education is what the mayor and chief are saying,” Touchet said. “We will give time, but a month from now, summertime will be in full swing. Kids are going to have a lot of time on their hands. Things will need to be tightened up.”