8C Consent 2007 0716 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF SAN LEANDRO STAFF REPORT APPROVED AND FORWARDED TO CITY COUNCIL DATE: July 10, 2007 Jo Ci TO: John Jermanis, City Manager Dale S. Attarian, Chief of Police ~fl Police Department FROM: SUBJECT PROJECT/PROJECT DESCRIPTION: AN ORDINANCE ADDING SECTION 4-1-810 TO CHAPTER 4-1, TITLE 4 OF THE SAN LEANDRO MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO DAYTIME CURFEW SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION As it is currently worded, the San Leandro Municipal Code (Section 4-1-815, Title 4) addresses the issue of unsupervised minors between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. There is no provision that speaks to the problem of unsupervised minors between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3 :00 p.m. who are not in school or under the supervision of school staff. The proposed addition of Section 4-1-810 to Chapter 4-1, Title 4 of the Municipal Code has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney. It expands the Police Department's ability to address the ongoing problems associated with unsupervised or truant minors during normal school hours. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council approve the ordinance related to a daytime curfew. BACKGROUND Analysis Minors who are unsupervised during normal school hours are very vulnerable to being the victims of some type of crime. Because parents are under the assumption that the minor is safely in school, many of the crimes go unreported for hours which greatly increase the chances that a child will be seriously hurt. The daytime curfew will provide Police Officers with a tool to more closely monitor minors who appear to be unsupervised during normal school hours. The continued violation of truancy laws has placed an extraordinary burden on the manpower and resources of the Police Department. From September of 2006 through April of 2007, Police Officers arrested 98 juveniles during school hours for crimes including vandalism to public and private property, robbery, burglary, assault, and disturbing the peace. It is anticipated that daytime curfew enforcement will reduce the loitering at public areas such as parks, eating establishments, playgrounds, etc. Additionally, the implementation of this ordinance will hold the parents of repeat truants accountable for school attendance.