Police propose age limit for unsupervised children at large city events; council asks for public input

Calera police and parks officials presented a proposed ordinance intended to reduce juvenile misbehavior and improve safety at large city events and in park facilities. Lieutenant Grant told council that many incidents involve middle-school-age children left unattended during football games, movie nights and other crowded events, and he recommended the city adopt an ordinance defining an age below which children cannot be dropped off unsupervised at major events.

SROs and parks staff described repeated incidents including vandalism and fights tied largely to middle-school-age youth; staff said enforcing an age threshold during large events would give officers and parks employees clearer authority to remove unsupervised youths, contact parents and, if necessary, trespass or pursue municipal-court action. Sgt./staff member Seth underscored problems at movie nights where children were left without parents and sometimes could not be picked up immediately.

Council members and staff discussed appropriate age thresholds; the police and SROs suggested 16 (the age at which many can legally drive and carry ID), while council members requested citizen input and emphasized careful drafting to limit unintended burdens on parents. Staff said any ordinance would target large events where the city provides security or planning, not routine daytime park use by supervised children. The mayor asked staff to prepare proposed ordinance language and to gather public comment prior to returning the item for formal consideration.

Ending: Council did not vote on an ordinance; staff will draft language and solicit input before the item returns for council review.