A few towns have them, but most don't.
They're curfews for borough parks and playgrounds. In some towns, nobody is permitted in parks and playgrounds after a specified hour.
Such curfews are a great idea. They help prevent vandalism and cut down on such activities as drug use and other crimes.
We've been to playgrounds and have found condoms, litter, and graffiti. Admittedly some of this could have occurred in the daylight hours, but certainly the night is when isolated playgrounds and parks offer a convenience for gatherings of unscrupulous individuals.
With curfews, police have an extra tool for preventing damages to playground and park equipment.
Playgrounds are built for the use by youngsters in the community; children who shouldn't be in the facilities late at night. Not only are sliding boards, swings, and other such items targeted by vandals, so are buildings which are subjected to vile graffiti.
There's no reason parks and playgrounds have to be open 24/7 to the public. We've witnessed too many destructive acts. We've even heard of individuals finding drug needles or paraphernalia on some playgrounds.
Without a curfew, the hands of police officers are tied. With a curfew, it means anyone in parks or on playgrounds after specified hours are in the wrong and police can investigate their activities and actions.
Borough councils and township supervisors need to adopt curfews for playgrounds and parks. Equipment and facilities are very expensive to purchase, install, and maintain. The curfews are preventing an investment.
By RON GOWER
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Comments
Wow, Ron, I know they say opinions are like you know what, but after reading a bunch of yours, seems you have way too many. Now, I know news is slow around here and you guys are just trying to fill space, but it seems like you want rules for everything, and I mean everything. I know I may not be in the majority here, but when I see rules I equate it with: boring and no fun. Looks like you old people are trying to turn the world into a nursing home. If you want a lot of rules and peace and quiet, and of course no smoking, why don't you think about checking yourself in to one of those retirement communities?
To commonsense - You have no common sense. Think before you post, okay? We aren't living in the 1950s any more. You equate rules with 'boring and no fun.' You ever see the condition of some of the parks and playgrounds in this area where there are no curfews and older kids are allowed to hang around at any time of the night? Vandalism including obscene graffiti and litter - beer cans, condoms - not to mention the noise and filthy language local residents have to listen to when they're trying to get some sleep or even just sit outside at night. And what about the drug problem in this area? I guess you weren't aware of that either.
No, we need curfews and we need police patrolling these places at night and enforcing the curfews. Things are getting worse in this area with disrespectful kids who have no concern for other peoples' property and privacy. Obviously not all kids are bad, but the ones who are need to be dealt with. Curfews would be a good start.