New daytime curfew is set

SIKESTON - Children will no longer be allowed to roam Sikeston streets during school hours.

The Sikeston City Council modified the city's juvenile ordinance during Monday's regular city council meeting which establishes a school-hour curfew.

The curfew makes it unlawful for those under age 17 to be on city streets during regularly scheduled school hours. Exceptions include when the juvenile is accompanied by a parent; is traveling to or from work; or is on an emergency errand, according to Public Safety Director Drew Juden.

The idea to review the possibility of such a change came from Scott County Juvenile Officer Bill Lawson, Juden said. Lawson also drafted the bill.

Juden said he had spoken with school officials and others in the community about the curfew. "It seems everybody is in favor of this ordinance," Juden said.

Council members Sue Rogers and Michael Marshall reported during an earlier briefing session that they, too, had heard positive comments on the curfew idea.