As adventure- and fun-seeking Sundre and surrounding area residents make plans to head outdoors for the last long weekend of the camping season, police urge everyone to play responsibly. Cpl.
As adventure- and fun-seeking Sundre and surrounding area residents make plans to head outdoors for the last long weekend of the camping season, police urge everyone to play responsibly.
Cpl. Joe Mandel recently told the Round Up everyone should have plans in place for the Labour Day long weekend to avoid at all costs impaired operation of a motor vehicle, including ATVs and other off-highway vehicles.
"Play safe," he said, encouraging riders to operate their machines with consideration for others as well as to treat the land with respect and to "be like sasquatch" — a reference to leaving behind no trace and packing out any items that were brought in.
The corporal also reminds parents and residents that Sundre has a curfew bylaw prohibiting youths — as described by the municipality as anyone between the ages of 12 and 15 — from being in a public space between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. any day of the week without proper and direct supervision of a parent or guardian.
According to the bylaw, a child — described as a person who appears to be less than 12 years of age — found in breach of the curfew may be warned to return home by a peace or police officer. If after such a warning the child is again found loitering in a public place, he or she could be taken by an officer to the child's home or referred to an appropriate agency. The officer shall also inform in writing the parents or guardians about the offence committed and at the member's discretion a charge could be laid against those responsible for the child.
A youth who is found in violation of the curfew can also be warned to return home by an officer. Failure to comply could result in the officer taking home the youth, who would also be considered guilty of an offence and becomes liable upon summary convictions to a range of fees outlined in the bylaw.
Parents or guardians who knowingly permit a youth or child in their care to contravene the curfew are also guilty of an offence and liable to pay a fee.
However, the police focus is on education and Mandel stressed that laying charges is generally only reserved for consistent repeat offenders.
First offences carry no fees, while a second offence for a youth carries $50 or four hours of community service, incrementally going up to $200 or 16 hours of community service for fourth and subsequent offences.
Parents or guardians face a $100 fine for a second offence, increasing to $400 for a fourth and any subsequent offences. A worst-case scenario could result in not more than three months' imprisonment.
