NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — As families make plans for Halloween, one metro Atlanta city wants to make sure teens are in the house by 7 p.m.
The Covington City Council voted to move the city’s curfew for teenagers from 9:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for certain dates. The new curfew applies to anyone 16 or younger. After 7 p.m., teenagers must be with an adult parent or guardian.
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City leaders said the change is a proactive step to address safety concerns as the holidays approach. The police chief recommended the earlier curfew.
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In July, Covington canceled its Fourth of July event because of anticipated issues involving teenagers. Some city leaders and residents discussed holding parents accountable for their children’s actions.
“You had your children and you’ve got to raise them right, make them do what they’re supposed to do. And they’ve got to know right from wrong,” neighbor Sissy Skipper said.
The ordinance states that exceptions to the curfew include teenagers who are traveling to or from work, school, or church events, or who are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or another adult approved by a parent or guardian.
The ordinance also outlines penalties for violations, including fines for parents or guardians if their children repeatedly break the curfew.
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