By V. Hugh Lewis II, publisher
The City of Jefferson implemented a curfew for anyone 16 years old or younger from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, during Friday’s special session. The curfew goes into effect immediately.
Jefferson Police Chief Jason Carroll made the recommendation to council after his office has seen children out at all hours of the night.
“We’ve been seeing juveniles out at 1-2 a.m.,” Carroll told the Herald. “There has been an increase in the number of suspicious person reports, another other activity. This will last through the end of the City’s emergency declaration and we’re doing what a number of other cities have done, for example Waskom.”
Violation of the curfew is a Class C Misdemeanor, Violation of City Ordinance, and the fine is set by the Municipal Judge, but are punishable by a fine of up to $500. A parent or guardian is required to appear with the juvenile at court.
“The first offense we’ll issue a warning and direct the youth to go home or take them home,” said Carroll. “Subsequent violations we’ll issue a citation and the parents will have to appear in court.”
According to the Incident Reports posted on the Jefferson Police Department FaceBook page, officers responded to 5 burglar alarms and 2 suspicious persons reports during the last week.
Elections
The City also passed a resolution formally moving the May elections to November and approved a contract with Marion County Clerk Vickie Smith for the County to conduct the election. Council took the advice provided by the Texas Secretary of State’s office to move the elections to ensure a safe election during the COVID–19 situation.
Resolution 04-020, includes the following provisions
- Alderman Wards 1, 2, and 3, and Mayor candidates shall all appear on the November 3, 2020, election. Refiling is not required and a filing period will not be re-opened. (Basically, if you haven’t signed up, you can’t)
- Ballots by Mail (ABBM):
- Requests which have already been made do not have to re-requested for disabled and those over the age of 65
- Requests made due to travel or expected absence must be re-submitted
- Status of ABBM’s which have already been returned, was not made clear in the resolution, but inquiries to Smith and City Secretary Doris Hines have been made.
- Deadline to Request ABBM: October 23, 2020
- Deadline to Register to Vote: October 5, 2020
- Early Voting: October 19-30, 2020
The County is operating “Vote Centers” which mean regardless of residence location in the county, one can vote at any polling location. This will extend to the City Elections, so, for example, if a registered voter is at a polling location in Mims, they can still vote there for the City election. One must be a resident of the City and have been assigned a City Precinct number to vote. The election will have a common ballot for State, County, City, and School Board election positions.
The cost, so far, for this is $4,000.
Other Business
- Approved Minutes from March 17 and March 23 meetings
- Approved the Monthly Financial Report
- Approved the Quarterly Budget and Revenue Report
- Approved a Civil Rights Resolution 04-16-2020 as required for a Drainage Grant the City has received
- Approved Fair Housing Proclamation, and SIgnatory Resolution for the Drainage Grant
- Approved the 2019 Independent Audit from Prothro, Wilhelmi and Company
Online Incident Reporting
After the meeting adjourned, Carroll presented the a packet on the City’s new Online Incident Filing program they hope to start using next week.
A part of CopSync, the reporting and citation system used by the officers, the new program is being tested in Jefferson and is usable via a link on the Police Department’s FaceBook page, and City website.
The program only allows the reporting of non-violent and other types of incidents. The system does not allow for anonymous reports.
A separate article will be posted when the system is available for use.