Town Manager Chuck Unroe read the updated town ordinance section 62-6, which included fining parents whose minor children were caught out past curfew. This fine is in lieu of charging parents with a class three misdemeanor.

Fines Coming to Clifton Forge Parents Whose Minors Who Violate Town Curfew By Jennifer Bailey Staff Writer   Clifton Forge, VA (July 14, 2026)- During tonight's July meeting of the Clifton Forge town council, an ordinance was presented to amend section 62-6 of the Code of the Town of Clifton Forge, Virginia of 2015, for the purpose of fining parents whose minor children violate town curfew. Town Manager Chuck Unroe read the proposed amended ordinance this evening, which included a reading of the current curfew for minors not accompanied by a parent or guardian. "...Curfew hours mean 1) 11:00 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, until 6:00 a.m. on the following day, and 2) 12 midnight until 6:00 a.m. on the following day on Fridays or Saturdays." During those hours, minors are not allowed in public places without a parent or guardian. "...Public place means any place in which the public or a substantial group of public has access and includes, but is not limited to, public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds, or other public grounds or other public places, public buildings, places of amusement, eating places, or vacant lots." The town ordinance of Clifton Forge makes it unlawful for minors to be in public places, as well as for parents to allow their minor children to be in public places beyond the hours of curfew. However, the town does allow exceptions and will continue to do so for school functions, religious functions, emergencies such as—but not limited to—fires and car accidents, driving home from work, etc. The ordinance, which passed tonight, permits the Clifton Forge Police Department (CFPD) to enforce a consequence-based curfew which will fine the parents—whose minor children don't fall under the exceptions— $25 for a first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses. Town Manager Chuck Unroe stated, "I think the reason that Chief [Scott] Balser asked for the change in this ordinance is because of the constant vandalism we're having. People are asking for more effective enforcement and police effort over that, and I think this gives a little bit more to that for them [CFPD] to be able to enforce it." Additionally, as stated in the new ordinance, the purpose of the fines is in lieu of charging of a class three misdemeanor to the parents for their minor child's [children's] curfew violation. Repeated curfew violations may even result in performing community service on top of the fines. Councilman Carl "Shorty" Wolfe voted no on the new ordinance, with Councilwoman Debbie Laudermilk, Councilman Michael Foster, Vice Mayor Dale Burdette, and Mayor Jeff Irvine all voting yes, thus passing the ordinance.

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