The Kinmundy Board of Aldermen has immediately put an eight pm curfew into effect until further notice for all kids under 16. Under the curfew, children will not be allowed to roam the community without a parent, guardian, or responsible person 18 and older.
Mayor Angie Diss says the move comes as the board continues wrestling with vandalism and other problems from a group of 12 to 15 kids as young as eight who are vandalizing and harassing those in town. Diss says some of their parents don’t care, and they hope to get their attention by making them do four hours of community service on Saturday morning with their kids if they violate the curfew or get into other trouble.
Diss says the Marion County State’s Attorney’s office supports the idea and could take further action against parents who don’t show up for the community service. She reports that tickets were written earlier to some of the offenders, but they have not been paid.
Diss says the problems began around Christmas when a group of five or six juveniles caused over $1,000 in damage to the city’s Christmas decorations. Since then there has been damage to the Webster Ball Park, playground equipment at a church was defaced with vulgar graffiti, glass blocks were broken at the Madison Street Preservation building, and a brick was thrown through a large glass window of Back in the Day Resale that will be very difficult to replace due to its age. In addition, a business had its power shut off, trash thrown all over the park and downtown area, and doorbells rung late at night before those responsible had run off.
There was only one vote against the curfew at Thursday night’s board meeting. It came from Alderman Amy Davis, who has a child who falls under the curfew. She didn’t think it was fair to make kids be home before it is dark in the summer.
Diss reports strong community support since the curfew was approved.
In other action, the board approved its yearly appropriations ordinance. Diss reports the city is in good shape financially.
Ten streets will be selected for oil and chip improvements that will take place on July 1st.