[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Myersville 12-9-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-04. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The intent and purpose of this chapter is to promote the general welfare and protect the general public through the reduction of juvenile crime within the Town; to promote the safety and well-being of the Town's juvenile citizens, persons under the age of 18, whose inexperience renders them particularly vulnerable to becoming participants in unlawful activities, particularly unlawful vandalism and theft, and to being victimized by older perpetrators of crime; and foster and strengthen parental responsibilities for children.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein:
An unforeseen circumstance or combination of circumstances that requires immediate action. This term includes, but is not limited to fire, natural disaster, automobile accident or any situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury, loss of life or extensive property damage.
Any unmarried, unemancipated person under 18 years of age.
Any person who is the natural, step or adoptive parent of a juvenile, a legal guardian of a juvenile, a person who is 18 years of age or older who stands in loco parentis to a juvenile, or a person to whom legal custody of a juvenile has been given by court order.
Any place within the Town of Myersville to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access and includes, but is not limited to, streets, sidewalks, alleys, common areas of schools, shopping centers, parking lots, playgrounds, transportation facilities, theaters, restaurants, shops, bowling alleys, cafes, arcades and similar areas that are open to the use of the public.
The Town of Myersville, Maryland, with administrative offices at 301 Main Street, Municipal Building, Myersville, MD 21773.
It shall be unlawful, unless otherwise provided herein, for any juvenile to be or remain in or upon a public place within the Town of Myersville during the following periods:
The following shall constitute valid exceptions and defenses to the operation of this chapter:
A.
When a juvenile is accompanied by the juvenile's parent.
B.
When a juvenile is attending or returning home by a direct route without any detour or stop from a Town event, a school activity or any activity of a religious or civic organization, or of a place of public entertainment, such as a movie, play or sporting event.
C.
When the juvenile is engaged in a legal employment activity or is returning from or going to his or her place of employment by a direct route.
D.
When a juvenile, with consent of his or her parent, is engaged in travel through the Town or beginning or ending in the Town.
E.
When a juvenile is on the property where the juvenile resides, or on the sidewalk abutting the juvenile's residence.
F.
When a juvenile is exercising his or her First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution, including the rights of freedom of speech, assembly and the exercise of religion.
G.
In case of an emergency.
It shall be unlawful for a parent of a juvenile to knowingly permit the juvenile to whom he or she is the parent to remain in any public place in violation of this chapter. The term "knowingly" includes actual knowledge and knowledge that a parent reasonably should be expected to have concerning the whereabouts of a juvenile in that parent's care and custody.
