Hi Seal Beach,
Recently (and perhaps due to Spring Break), we received a few calls for service involving kids being out in public after curfew. When chatting with kids (and their parents), there always seems to be some confusion about what curfew means, specifically in Seal Beach.
Pursuant to Seal Beach Municipal Code §7.20.025:
“A. Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases shall mean:
“1. Constitutionally Protected Expressive Activity: an activity protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution or by Article I, Section 2 of the California Constitution.
“2. Emergency: an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state, that calls for immediate action. ‘Emergency’ includes without limitation a fire, natural disaster, an automobile accident or other situation requiring immediate action to prevent bodily injury.
“3. Nighttime Curfew Hours: the period from 10:00 p.m. of any evening through 6:00 a.m. of the following day.
“4. Guardian: a person designated by a court to be the guardian of a minor.
“5. Responsible Adult: a person, 18 years of age or older, who has been authorized by the parent or guardian of a minor to have custody of the minor.
“6. Public Place: a place to which the public has access, including without limitation, publicly owned alleys, beaches, parks, sidewalks and streets. “Public place” also includes privately owned businesses that are open to the public, including without limitation arcades, bars, saloons and restaurants.
“7. Unemancipated Minor: a person who is under the age of 18 years and is not an “emancipated minor” as defined in Family Code Section 7002.
Now that we have the definitions out of the way, what are the actual rules?
“B. Prohibitions.
“1. No unemancipated minor shall be present in a public place during nighttime curfew hours.
“2. No parent or guardian of an unemancipated minor shall knowingly permit such person to be present in a public place during nighttime curfew hours.
“C. Exemptions. Subsection B of this section does not apply if the unemancipated minor is any of the following:
“1. On the sidewalk abutting his or her residence.
“2. In a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel.
“3. Responding to an emergency.
“4. Attending an adult-supervised activity sponsored by the city, a school, religious institution, civic organization or similar entity.
“5. Accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or responsible adult.
“6. On an errand at the direction of his or her parent, guardian or responsible adult-.
“7. Traveling between home and an employment activity or a constitutionally protected expressive activity.
“8. Engaged in an employment activity or a constitutionally protected expressive activity.”
Parents and guardians, we kindly ask that as we near summer break, you have a conversation with your kids so that they know when they can and cannot be out.
Remember, if a person is under 18, curfew is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call our non-emergency line of (562) 594-7232.
Keep your questions coming Seal Beach! Email us at askacop@sealbeachca.gov today!
