CARSON : Parents Pick Up 48 Who Violated Curfew

The parents of 48 minors were called to pick up their children at the Carson sheriff’s station last weekend, after deputies began strictly enforcing the city’s 10 p.m. curfew.

Many parents were surprised to find that their teen-agers were not home in bed, police said.

“We’d call them, and they’d say, ‘Joey’s asleep in his room.’ . . . The majority of them had no clue,” Sgt. Steve Bellino said.

Under the city’s new policy, deputies hold minors until their parents or guardians come to the station to get them. Officials hope that enforcing the curfew will cut down on crimes such as graffiti and vandalism.

The curfew requires that anyone under the age of 18 be en route to a specific destination or have written permission from a parent to be out after 10 p.m.

In the past, curfew violators were cited and released, but youngsters often did not tell their parents about the citations. By requiring parents to pick up their children, officials can be certain that guardians are aware of violations, Bellino said.

The fine for curfew violations can be up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail, police officials say.

Deputies will continue through early September to pick up minors on Friday and Saturday nights. On weeknights, deputies issue citations, but parents are not called to pick up their children.