City Modifies, Clarifies Juvenile Curfew Law

The City Council has made changes to the city’s nighttime curfew for minors in an effort to clarify and strengthen the law.

The action comes in response to a recent court ruling that found a similar curfew in San Diego unconstitutional, officials said.

Much of the same language and standards that apply to San Diego’s ordinance existed in Placentia’s law. For example, some words in the ordinance, including “loiter,” were held to be vague. Changes to Placentia’s ordinance included replacing that word with “tarry,” meaning to remain, wander, stroll or play without apparent purpose.

The city’s curfew hours--10 p.m. to 6 a.m.--were not changed.