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Lorain council revises curfew ordinance: lowers covered age, requires written parental permission
Summary
After debate, Lorain City Council amended and passed changes to chapter 509.12 (curfew): the covered age was changed to under 18, the start time was clarified as 11 p.m., and written parental permission was added as an exception; amendments were adopted and the ordinance passed as amended.
Lorain City Council on Dec. 15 debated and then approved amendments to the city curfew ordinance, repealing and replacing chapter 509.12. The sponsor introduced the ordinance and council members raised safety concerns and procedural clarifications during an extended discussion.
Key changes adopted as amendments were: (1) the age threshold was changed from language referring to '21' to 'under 18' for purposes of the curfew, (2) exceptions that allow minors to be out with an adult now require that the adult be "duly authorized in writing" by a parent or legal guardian, and (3) council clarified the curfew start time as 11 p.m. (a member had earlier referred to 10:30 p.m.). The council recorded motions to amend by substitution and to add "in writing" after parental permission; both amendments carried unanimously. The ordinance then passed as amended.
Council members described the change as intended to reduce late-night youth exposure to street incidents and to give police clearer enforcement language. One member recounted growing up in the city and urged the ordinance to help keep youth off the street late at night, saying the change to 'under 18' reflects community concerns about accountability and youth safety. Members also asked for an operational protocol so event sponsors can notify police if they host activities that might conflict with the curfew; staff said procedures would be established.
The council's action was legislative: amendments were made on the floor, then the full council voted to adopt the revised curfew ordinance as amended. The ordinance's language now includes explicit written-permission requirements and the lowered age threshold; implementation details (such as administrative notification processes for event sponsors) will be finalized by city staff and police.
