Curfew Ordinance Could Affect Four Corners Businesses

By Aleisa Fleming-Dunn

            In an effort to reduce the rise in crimes committed by teenagers in Orange County, Sheriff Kevin Beary recently proposed a curfew ordinance, which caught the attention of County Commissioner Mildred Fernandez. Fernandez represents District 3 in Orange County and is overseeing the proposed curfew ordinance.

            The Four Corners section of Orange County is a high tourist area, particularly along U.S. Highway 192 near mile marker 4. The proposed ordinance could impact area businesses that cater to both residents and tourists.

            “I don’t think a curfew is a good idea,” said Allan Brown, a local teen who lives in Osceola County and works in Orange County. “I sometimes do not get off work until midnight, and if I want to go grab food, usually only the places on 192 are open.”

            Florida state statute 877.20 gives counties the authority to impose a curfew to persons under 18. Other sections of the statute detail the consequences the minor will receive under the law and explain that the parents can be fined, as well. According to the statute, minors are given a warning the first time. If caught a second or third time, however, the minor and his or her parents can be given a $50 fine, similar to a traffic violation.

            County Commissioner Teresa Jacobs, who represents the Four Corners district, said she has not received a high volume of calls or e-mails regarding the proposal.

            “I really haven’t heard much since this first came out a few months ago,” Jacobs said. “The proposal from Commissioner Fernandez was more of a memo with not a lot of details.”

            Jacobs herself could not provide specific details regarding the proposal since she was not part of the committee that wrote the draft.

            “All I can say is that nothing has been done with it county wide,” she said.

            The Orange County section of Four Corners borders Osceola County along the stretch of 192, where tourists sleep, shop and eat. Twis Lizasuain, public information officer for the Osceola County Sheriff’s office, said Osceola County does not have a similar ordinance to address curfews in an attempt to reduce crimes committed by teens.

            “We tend to work with our neighboring sheriff’s departments in times of emergencies,” Lizasuain said. “However, this becomes a county commission issue when ordinances are created.”

            Neighboring Polk County has what is called a “Youth Protection Ordinance” that allows deputies to issue citations to both the teenager and the parent in the amount of $50 if caught out past midnight. Neither Osceola nor Orange counties currently have curfews in place. There are no plans to implement the curfew in Osceola County.