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Black Diamond curfew bylaw is approved
By Gillian BeckettStaff Reporter
Youth aged 15 and under will now have to account for their whereabouts after Black Diamond council approved a curfew bylaw in a 5-2 vote last Wednesday.
The bylaw states that any child between the ages of 12 and 15 who is found in a public place after 11 pm and before 5 am without proper adult guardianship or legitimate excuse is guilty of an offence and is subject to a fine of $100.
The curfew bylaw was originally given second reading and tabled until September when council could determine if the presence of a second bylaw officer would make a difference.
However, the bylaw was brought back to the table at Wednesday’s regular meeting of council following a presentation by Black Diamond bylaw officer Kevin Sloboda and Okotoks bylaw officer Pete Smitz.
At the request of council, Sloboda presented a report on youth crime in the area.
Sloboda reported that from April to June of this year 25 youths under the age of 18 were found outdoors after midnight. Three charges were laid under the Gaming and Liquor Act, one youth was caught in a licensed establishment under age, seven youth were found consuming alcohol and three were found with open liquor.
'We do have incidents with youth in the day-time hours, but this doesn’t pertain to the curfew bylaw we are dealing with now,' said Sloboda.
Although council approved the bylaw, Councillor Jane Toews questioned why council was giving municipal bylaw officers the authority to enforce federal criminal codes.
'We have had a lot of concerns from the public with what is happening (with the youth),' said Mayor Rolly Magee. 'I think (the curfew bylaw) is a benefit for the community and I think it should be here.'
To assist council, Smitz provided some background on the success of a curfew bylaw in Okotoks.
He explained that due to an increasing problem with vandalism in Okotoks, the curfew bylaw was brought forth as a tool for the bylaw officers.
'We were having a terrible problem with youth and vandalism and we had no control,' Smitz told council.
He explained that in addition to other control methods to alleviate the problem, the idea of a curfew bylaw was brought forth.
'The majority wanted some sort of control and to put some of the emphasis to parents and give them a sort of lever (to guide their children),' said Smitz.
So far, Okotoks has not laid a charge under the curfew bylaw, however, it has been a successful tool, said Smitz.
'It has worked,' he said. 'The idea is to ask children to identify themselves (when they do) they will be less likely to commit acts of vandalism or crime. It is a tool and now when we tell young fellows and girls to go home, they go home.'
Smitz added that although the town still has problems with youth, the curfew bylaw has made a difference.
'That step we took in 1998 has definitely helped us,' he said.
Sloboda added that although the curfew bylaw would provide some leverage for the enforcement officers, it would also provide an opportunity to educate the youth.
'We are not out there to charge these youth, we are out there to educate them,' he said.
'The aim is not to lay charges, it is to educate and show them (the youth) responsibility and for the parents to accept responsibility,' added Smitz.
Council will review the curfew bylaw in one year’s time to determine its success.
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Ride em’ cowboy
Young Bradley Wallator has a successful ride on this mutton during the mutton bustin’ event held during Little New York Daze in Longview Saturday.
- photo Gillian Beckett
Okotoks Business faces charges laid by auto watchdog
By Gillian BeckettStaff Reporter
An Okotoks business is among 89 automotive businesses within Alberta facing charges of illegal activity laid by the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC).
In a press release dated July 17, AMVIC listed Triple T Auto Service in Okotoks for allegedly operating without a provincial business licence as required under the Fair Trading Act.
Okotoks RCMP Cpl. Dave Blair explained that the charges laid against several businesses is the result of AMVIC’s individual investigations.
'We may assist in handing out the summons but they (AMVIC) lay the charges,' said Blair.
Other businesses across the province charged for operating without a provincial business licence included those located in Brooks, Calgary, Champion, Drumheller, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Redcliff, Red Deer, Stony Plain, Strathmore, Vegreville and Vermillion.
According to AMVIC, further charges are pending against numerous other businesses across Alberta for failing to obtain a provincial business licence.
'This type of illegal activity denies legitimate automotive businesses and consumers from accessing the benefits of Alberta’s automotive marketplace,' said AMVIC’s executive director Rick Preston in the press release.
'We will not let this go on unchecked. . . play by the rules or face the consequences. Hard working consumers and fair-minded, law-abiding businesses and their employees deserve better.'
AMVIC has also laid 53 charges against a number of businesses and individuals from Calgary, Edmonton, Gibbons and Nanton for alleged activity such as fraud, misrepresentations, false vehicle history and odometer rollbacks.
Eleven convictions were registered against a number of businesses and individuals from Calgary, Edmonton, Mayerthorpe, Montana and Nanton.
The charges and convictions were the result of investigations dating back to September of 2000.
Triple T was contacted by The Wheel but declined to comment.
