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Examples of vandalism are apparent inside the former Signal Mountain Middle School. Contributed photo by Susan Robertson
The town of Signal Mountain is not implementing a curfew for minors at this time.
“At this time we don’t feel any need to reinstate the curfew,” Town Manager Honna Rogers said. “It was just an inquiry.”
Mayor Bill Lusk had brought the issue to the Town Council after several residents had brought it to him.
“Two reasons you look at a juvenile curfew law are basically to prevent juvenile crime and to prevent juvenile victimization,” Police Chief Boyd Veal said. “Luckily we haven’t had any instances to raise concerns about victimization. Obviously we have a very safe community.”
He added that there are already laws in place to allow police officers to stop suspicious people. A curfew for minors would not stop vandalism, as those willing to break the law in that regard would probably not abide by the curfew law either, he said.
“While vandalism and things like that have gotten some attention recently, this has always been an issue,” Veal said. “We haven’t seen a spike in it or anything to indicate juvenile crime has become a greater issue than it’s ever been.”
But vandalism at the former Signal Mountain Middle School property has become an issue for the town, although Veal noted that he hasn’t received any citizen complaints about such activity.
“We’re trying to keep an eye on it,” he said. “As with all the businesses and stuff, we try to be as diligent as possible in patrolling and watching problem areas especially, but there’s only so much we can do. If you have a vacant property like that it’s going to be attractive to someone who has that type of activity in mind. It means we have to pay as much attention as possible.”
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