As summer continues, we have been experiencing a number of issues with juveniles congregating in areas of the City after dark. The City of Conyers has a curfew ordinance that we are going to aggressively enforce over the coming months to curtail this problem.

No minor 16 years of age or younger is to loiter, wander, stroll or play in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, lanes, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement, eating places, vacant lots or any place unsupervised by an adult having the lawful authority to be at such places between the hours of 9:30 p.m. on any day and 6:00 a.m. of the following day; provided, however, that on Fridays and Saturdays, the effective hours are between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. of the following day.

Exceptions to this curfew are minors accompanied by a parent, guardian or other authorized legal adult; when the minor is on an emergency errand for a parent, guardian or other adult having lawful custody of the minor; when the minor is returning directly home from a school, religious activity, voluntary association or place of entertainment (movies, play or sporting event); when the minor is returning directly home from his or her place of employment; when the minor is exercising first amendment rights provided the exercise of such rights is clearly evidenced by the minor’s conduct; when the minor is in a motor vehicle travelling on the interstate with parental consent; and when a minor is on the sidewalk in front of his or her home or next door neighbor’s home who has no objection.

Additionally, the ordinance allows the parent or guardian of the minor to be charged if the parent or guardian knowingly allows or permits by inefficient control the minor to violate the curfew. I ask that parents and guardians make every effort to abide by this ordinance in order to help keep your children safe.

For a copy of the complete curfew ordinance please visit http://library.municode.com/index aspx?clientId=14920 . Look for Title 11, Section 11-1-5.

Conyers Police Explorer Post 2222 recently returned from participating in a week-long Alabama Law Enforcement Explorer Academy in Montevallo, Alabama. The Conyers Explorers attended classes, participated in marching drills, team building and critical thinking exercises, physical fitness and firearms training. Explorer Post 2222 is a division of the Conyers Police Department (CPD) consisting of young men and women ages 14-20 interested in learning more about a career in law enforcement. For more information on participating in the Conyers Explorers program, contact advisors Corporal Everett Searcy or Officer Patrick Warren at 770-483-6600.

Another juvenile community program we are sponsoring is the Junior Police Academy. We currently have our Junior Police Academy in full swing with 11 participants. This group of outstanding individuals will be graduating July 20, 2013. We are excited that we were able to bring this program back again this year to reach out to youth in our community.

I would like to extend my congratulations to Internal Affairs Sergeant Harlan "Dusty" Brown for successfully completing the "Leadership Rockdale" program on June 18, 2013