Juvenile offenders will now be dealt with more strictly in North Tonawanda. The city's common council approved an amendment this week removing language from the city code requiring a "warning" for first time curfew breakers. It now allows a judge to impose a fine or jail time.
The change could also impact parents or guardians who could also face fines up to $250 or be sentenced up to 15 days in jail for violations committed by their minor child.
Youth under 16 years of age must now be inside their homes by 11 p.m. on weekdays or midnight on weekends unless they are with a guardian, or have a legitimate reason to be out late (sports teams, work).
Changes to the law includes new language defining penalties for house parties and parents/guardians who have underage children drinking at those events.
In addition, the changes makes it unlawful for "any person" to bully or harass a person, or "induce another person to engage in such bullying or harassment."
The North Tonawanda City Attorney's Office and police are looking at a proposal to expand the definition of bullying to include "cyberbullying."
7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly has more in his reports.
