HomeMy WebLinkAbout22640 1 ORDINANCE NO.22,640
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3 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND LITTLE ROCK,ARK.,REV.CODE§ 17.5-24(1988)
4 TO ADD A SUBSECTION (D) TO SET THE HOURS OF A JUVENILE CURFEW
5 FROM THE DATE OF PASSAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE TO SEPTEMBER 2,
6 2025, AT 10:00 P.M. TO 5:00 A.M. SEVEN DAYS A WEEK; TO DECLARE AN
7 EMERGENCY;AND,FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
8
9 WHEREAS,after careful consideration and concern for juvenile crime and juvenile victimization the
10 City of Little Rock,Arkansas ("the City") adopted ordinances which imposed a juvenile curfew in Little
11 Rock,Ark.,Ordinance No. 16,564(January 4, 1994)("LRO No. "), LRO 16,825 (January 3, 1995),and
12 LRO 18,629 (January 2, 2002), and since the passage of these ordinances the City has had appropriate
13 means to address juvenile curfews; and,
14 WHEREAS, in the very recent past juveniles have created problems,especially when gathered in large
15 numbers,since the beginning of the summer of 2025,and most recently the City experienced a situation in
16 which numerous juveniles and others gathered near the Rivermarket Entertainment District, and at some
17 point a gun was fired in the vicinity; and,
18 WHEREAS, there is concern that appropriate actions need to be taken to stop such actions, and to
19 determine the best course of action and best practice to deal with juveniles not in school during the summer
20 months,and to develop guidelines for the future;
21 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY
22 OF LITTLE ROCK,ARKANSAS:
23 Section 1. Little Rock,Ark., Revised Code § 17.5-24(1988)("LRC § ")is hereby amended to add
24 a subsection(d)which reads as follows:
25 (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, from the date of passage of this ordinance
26 until September 2,2025, it shall be unlawful for any minor to be upon the streets,sidewalks,parks,
27 playgrounds,public places and vacant lots,or to ride in or upon,drive or otherwise operate or be a
28 passenger of any automobile,bicycle,scooter,or other vehicle in,upon,over or through the streets,
29 or other public places between the hours of 10:00 p.m.and 5:00 a.m.
30 Section 2. During the period of time set forth in Section 1 of this Ordinance, the City shall maintain
31 records of issues that arise during the time frame that were in violation of LRC § 17.5-24, and upon the
32 termination of this Ordinance, shall develop an approach to deal with juveniles during extended times that
33 school is not in session that protects the rights and interests of all persons,and that can be made a permanent
34 part of this Code provision.
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1 Section 3. This ordinance shall automatically become ineffective, as if repealed, on September 3,
2 2025,without further action of the City,and shall remain in such ineffectiveness unless,and until,a perma-
3 nent amendment after further study is conducted and LRC 17.5-24 is otherwise amended.
4 Section 4.Severability.In the event any title,section,paragraph,item,sentence,clause,phrase,or word
5 of this ordinance is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional,such declaration or adjudication
6 shall not affect the remaining portions of the ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect as if the
7 portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional were not originally a part of the ordinance.
8 Section 5.Repealer. All ordinances, resolutions, bylaws, and other matters inconsistent with this or-
9 dinance, including but not limited to Little Rock, Ark., Ordinance No. 16,564 (January 4, 1994), Little
10 Rock,Ark., Ordinance No. 16,825 (January 3, 1995),and Little Rock,Ark., Ordinance 18,629 (January 2,
11 2002), and Little Rock,Ark., Rev. Code § 17-5.24(1988),are hereby repealed to the extent of such incon-
12 sistency.
13 Section 6.Emergency. The ability City to safeguard juveniles from becoming victims of criminal of-
14 fenses, or becoming the perpetrator of criminal offenses, during the summer months when schools are not
15 in session is essential to the public health, safety and welfare; an emergency is, therefore, declared to exist
16 and this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage.
17 PASSED: July 15,2025
18 ATTEST: APPROVED:
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20 76C-911(-)Y14- -)1%.$2-'-flidr---- --
21 Allison Segars,City Cle Frank Scott,Jr.,Mayor
22 APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
23
24 A.X1/1-4-49 Pi/('
25 Thomas M. Carpenter,City Attorn
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