Police enforcing juvenile curfew

Those who enjoy spending evenings visiting with friends while parked in public spaces are officially on notice, Mayor Earl Johnson and Police Chief Paul Hudson said Tuesday.

Because of continued problems with litter and criminal mischief, the city will begin enforcing its juvenile curfew, which is 11 p.m. weeknights and midnight on weekends.

Hudson said the enforcement began this past weekend.

“We’re having problems with people parking in parking lots, littering from one end to another,” Johnson said. “We’re tired of it, and so are our business owners.”

Johnson said parking lots littered with cups, cigarette butts and fried chicken counteract the work many do to keep Andalusia looking good.

“We spend an awful lot of money and effort to make our community look beautiful and special,” Johnson said. “A handful of people don’t need to ruin it.”

Hudson said tickets will be written for those who aren’t parked legally, who violate the curfew, or litter.

Juveniles who violate the curfew will be taken to the police station, and their parents will have to pick them up, he said. If parents have to be called a second time, Hudson said, the parents will be issued a summon and have to go before the municipal judge

Similarly, those charged with criminal littering will find themselves in city court and will face up to a $500 fine.

When is the juvenile curfew?

11 p.m. on weeknights and 12 a.m. on weekends.

Those in violation will be taken to the police station until their parents can pick them up. A second offense will land parents in municipal court.