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Centerville sets new curfew for kids under 18, but there are some exceptions

This month, the city set the curfew at 10:00 p.m. every day. Parents who leave their children unsupervised after curfew will be fined.

CENTERVILLE, Georgia — If you're under 18, your Friday night hangouts in Centerville may need to start earlier.

Centerville City Council voted this month to change its curfew after recent spats of youth violence in Houston County. 

Colton Rumph says there aren't many places he and his friends hang out in Central Georgia. 

"I've always gone to the gym, to the movies," the 18-year-old said. 

Now, he goes to the gym in Centerville. 

"I do see a lot of high school kids too; it's really a mix," he shared. 

After a group of teenagers started fighting near the Galleria Cinema in early February, one of them started shooting. Then, a 14-year-old who wasn't involved in the fight, TraQuavis Holloway, was killed. 

So now, the city wants to cut down on youth being out late at night, and the possible violence that comes with it. 

Mother Nicole Burell-Stubbs says when raising her kids she found getting them home early was best for their safety. 

"Usually had them to come back in around 9 'o'clock because there is danger in the streets after a certain time," she said. 

Under the new ordinance, any kid under 18 can't be left unsupervised after 10:00 p.m. on any night. The curfew lasts until 6:00 a.m. the following day. 

Before the ordinance was passed, minors could be out until 11:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, the curfew was set at midnight.

However, some think that the initiative will make a big difference in the community.

"It kind of keeps people from getting in trouble, speeding tickets with the cops. They get home safe," 18-year-old Jartravious Searcy said. 

Police Chief Cedric Duncan says youth safety is the goal of the ordinance.

"If we try curtailing them from hanging out in groups, it will stop a lot of the fights, confusion and gang stuff going on in the city."

The new rules are also about holding parents accountable, so if a minor is caught out after curfew, adults could face consequences as well. 

Duncan says first they'll have a child call their parent. If they aren't on the way, or can't immediately pick them up, officers will bring the child to the police station.

"The parents will come up here and we will cite them for curfew violation," Duncan said. 

The cost of a fine will be determined by a judge, but Duncan says it could cost up to $1,000.

"I pray the parents adhere to the curfew. If they do, Centerville will be a whole lot better place," Duncan said.

He hopes it will help save lives. 

Chief Duncan says officers will excuse teens from the curfew if they are leaving work, school or a church event.

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