LOGAN, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Truancy is a big problem in Cache County and leaders there are cracking down with a proposed daytime curfew.
Sky View High School senior Justin Harmon says, “A daytime curfew in my opinion would suck for high school students.” That's because they don't want to be slapped with a fine if they're caught ditching a boring class. But that's exactly what will happen if a proposed county daytime curfew is approved.
Cache County Attorney James Swink says, “If a student's sluffing school and causing mischief it's an immediate reaction to that and it also puts the parents on notice.” Swink says there is a need for county-wide enforcement. He says first time offenders will see a $35 fine. The next offense could be more money or a harsher punishment set by a judge.
Swink says cities like Logan, Hyrum, Richmond, and Smithfield already have similar city ordinances. The County ordinance would give authorities to enforce the curfew when students are on county property
Parents we talked to say they would be in favor of the daytime curfew. Keri Shoemaker says, “If they're going to give you a citation and contact the officers or whatever it'll be nice to know when your kids is not in school.”
Though students like Justin Harmon aren't in love with the idea of a daytime curfew, he believes it will help curb school truancy, “If you're going up the canyon to goof off around town then it will definitely help cut down sluffing.”
There will be exceptions for students who leave for a doctor's appointment, an approved school activity, or heading to and from work.
The Cache County Council will conduct a public hearing on the proposed county code Tuesday. The meeting starts at 5 p.m.
