La Grande Police Department reminds youth, guardians about curfew laws following increase in juvenile criminal activity

LA GRANDE — As summer approaches, the La Grande Police Department wants to remind minors and their guardians about curfew laws.

The police department and Union County Juvenile Department have seen an increase in juvenile criminal activities, which have mainly occurred late at night, according to a press release from Lt. Jason Hays. He said that over the last six months to a year there have been more incidents of damaged property, shoplifting, fighting and alcohol use. These crimes are usually associated with higher risk minors.

“We have definitely seen an escalation in juvenile criminal activity over the past few years. Fortunately, the severity of the crimes has not increased. But the impact felt by the community and law enforcement has been significant,” Juvenile Department Director Ben Morgan said.

Morgan explained that a variety of factors likely contributed to this escalation over the past few years. Youth at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system typically lack a strong connection with the school system. This disconnect was significantly exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s very likely that we are seeing the fallout of this extended disconnection now,” he said.

Ballot Measure 110 is likely another factor, according to Morgan. The measure hampered the state’s ability to identify and connect people struggling with substance use and addiction to resources, which has impacted both youth and their families.

Morgan said that youth who are struggling with substance use or who have parents who are experiencing substance use issues are more likely to commit crimes.

“Although causation is unclear, the outcomes are not. At-risk youth are struggling. And the community is feeling the impact,” Morgan said. “The question now is: What do we do about it?”

There is no easy answer, he said, but the community is taking steps to address the issue.

Curfew

“In response to the rising incidents, the La Grande Police Department will intensify its efforts in both education and enforcement of the curfew ordinance to mitigate criminal activities during night hours. Our goal is to foster a safer community for all residents by ensuring adherence to these regulations,” Hays wrote in the press release.

Under La Grande City ordinance it is unlawful for youth younger than 18 to be out on any street, park or other public place unaccompanied between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning when there is school the next day. Curfew hours are adjusted to between midnight and 6 a.m. when there is no school.

The curfew ordinance does not apply to juveniles who are accompanied by a parent, guardian or person over the age of 21 who is authorized by a parent or the law to have care and custody of the minor.

Minors who are engaged in school activities or lawful employment that requires them to be out during those hours are exempt from the curfew ordinance.

The La Grande Police Department press release also reminds parents and guardians that allowing minors to be out during curfew hours is a violation under Oregon statute. Failure to supervise a child is a class A violation and could result in a citation.

Hays said that any juveniles found violating curfew will be brought to their guardian and referred to the juvenile department.

The police department works closely with the juvenile department, as well as the school district and Safe Communities Coalition, to come up with solutions when problems like these arise.

Looking for solutions

Morgan said the juvenile department is grateful that local law enforcement has made juvenile crime a priority. However, he said that as a community we cannot expect the police department to address this issue alone. Members of the community and local agencies need to act proactively to prevent crime.

“Although diversion and prevention work is heavily nuanced and results can take years to manifest, research has shown that the potential impact on criminal activity is extremely powerful,” he said.

The juvenile department recently opened The 906 Resource Center. Morgan said that this program offers tutoring, skill building, recreational outlets and support to youth and their families. While the department does not currently have the staffing levels needed to facilitate evening programming, there is potential that this type of programming could have a strong impact on juvenile crime.

“Providing a safe space with caring, stable, attentive adults and positive recreational outlets in the evenings would provide a healthy alternative for those ‘idle hands.’ We hope that over time, we will be able to secure the necessary resources to provide this invaluable service,” Morgan said.