FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – Summer break has only been here a few weeks, but Flagler Beach police said several issues with teenagers and kids getting into trouble have popped up.
Chief Matt Doughney told News 6 he was going to ask city commissioners for a juvenile curfew to hopefully curb the problems.
The chief said a lot more families are moving to the small beach town, but a lot of the trouble is coming from teens traveling from over the bridge here in Flagler County and driving in from around Central Florida.
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“The most recent one was last week, about 12:52 in the morning, a 13-year-old leaves her home, her mom doesn’t notice she’s gone, she’s trying to buy alcohol at the 7-Eleven,” he said.
Doughney said a curfew could stop this trend.
“It’s not a punishment towards kids. We have a very small city, but our population in the city and county is growing rapidly,” said the chief, “For kids to come over at 11, 12, one o’clock in the morning, it’s just not safe for them.”
Doughney said they’ve had some attempted shoplifting, but much of the issue is teens vandalizing things, trying to get onto the pier, or getting into no good on the beach.
The curfew would go from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for anyone under 18 or without a parent or guardian.
He said if caught, the first time would be a warning. The second time is a $50 fine and ride back home with a discussion with the parents.
“Why is a juvenile out at three in the morning? This is going to give us a tool as law enforcement to contact them and bring them back to their parents,” said Doughney.
The issue went to Flagler Beach city commissioners Thursday at their meeting for a first reading.
The first reading of the proposed curfew passed unanimously with no comment from the public and enthusiastic reaction from city commissioners, according to a statement from City Manager Dale Martin, adding the meeting did not have external video or audio access due to technical difficulties.
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