Savannah police recall curfew to protect young people

With another school year behind schedule and a recent wave of violent crime in the city, the Savannah Police Department is reminding residents of nighttime restrictions aimed at protecting young people.

A citywide curfew limits nighttime activities for anyone 16 or younger.

People in this age group, without adult supervision, are prohibited from entering public places between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and from midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

“We believe that here, if you are under 16, you have no reason to be out this late,” Mayor Van Johnson said this week.

Exceptions to the order include when a minor is:

Accompanied by a parent, guardian or other authorized adult.
Emergency race with parental authorization.
Return home directly from legal employment.
Attend or travel directly to or from an event involving First Amendment rights.
In a motor vehicle with parental authorization for normal travel.
On the property or on the sidewalk adjacent to their residence.

“Parents and guardians are also reminded that they have a responsibility to ensure their children follow the curfew and other laws,” SPD said. “Allowing a minor to violate the curfew order due to insufficient supervision is a punishable offense.”

Protecting adolescents:What happened to the curfew to fight crime? Mayor Van Johnson says it’s ‘still on the table’