EDMONTON — Young teens and kids in Bonnyville won’t be having a late night out this Halloween, after councillors voted against extending the town’s curfew.
Earlier this week, town councillors debated and shot down the idea of extending the town’s curfew for kids under the age of 16 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
“The original bylaw was put in in 1929,” explained Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski. “For our community it works… Why would I fix what’s not broken?”
The bylaw, which has been amended a few times since 1929, states that after 7 p.m., kids under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult or be off the streets.
“They can be wherever they want,” said Sobolewski, “as long as they’re not out on the streets roaming around after 7 o’clock.
“We just want to minimize the mischief and really it’s all about the safety of the kids.”
The bylaw only applies to Halloween night. Police, firefighters and junior hockey players will be out patrolling the streets.
Those who do not obey the curfew will be told to go home and could be fined, although Sobolewski says a fine has never been handed out.
Bonnyville is located about 140 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.
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