Goshen reinstates curfew

GOSHEN, Ind. -- City officials have reinstated a curfew for teenagers, but unlike a previous law, the new ordinance allows parents to give their children permission to stay out later.\nTeenagers from 15 to 17 years old must be home between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the week and after 1 a.m. on weekends, according to the curfew the City Council approved Tuesday. It will take effect in about 10 days.\nThe northern Indiana city's previous curfew, which was created in 2000, was suspended two years ago when the federal court deemed a similar state limit unconstitutional.\nThe new curfew provides exceptions, including being accompanied by a parent or guardian or attending a job, school activity, religious activity or event protected by the First Amendment.\nParents whose teens violate the curfew would receive a phone call or a visit from police and would be required to sign an affidavit approving their children's activity.\nThe state has also approved a new curfew that will take effect July 1.\nBut Goshen officials said they wanted to implement theirs sooner in response to recent gang-related violence, graffiti and vandalism.\n"I think it will start a conversation between parents and kids," said Councilwoman Julia Gautsche. "Sometimes parents don't know their kids are out late"