Stanfield is in the process of creating a curfew ordinance for minors.

The idea was proposed by Commissioner James Griffin during last week’s town council meeting as a preventive measure to deter young people from engaging in criminal activity.

Griffin said incidents seem to arise about every two to three years in the town regarding issues with juveniles walking the streets late at night.

“There’s no rhyme nor reason why a child under the age of 18 should be out walking the streets after midnight,” Griffin said.

He added that “nothing good happens after midnight.”

The council approved his idea and an official curfew ordinance is being drafted and should be in effect by the October council meeting.

Griffin said the tentative time limits for the curfew will be between 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.

He brought up the idea after Stanfield resident Christi Glenn, who previously lived in Charlotte where there was a curfew ordinance, spoke to the council about enacting a curfew.

“Although we are a small town, times change and we as a community must keep up with the ever-changing, cruel world,” she said. “This will help to keep our children and residents safe.”

A curfew would hold parents and legal guardians accountable for their children’s actions and behaviors, Glenn said, along with deterring reckless and unsafe behaviors.

Stanfield is using Badin’s curfew ordinance, enacted in 2005, as a template for creating its own.

“The ordinance was designed for the safety of minors,” Town Manager Jay Almond said.

Under the Badin ordinance, it is unlawful for minors under the age of 18 to be walking around the town after midnight on Friday or Saturday or after 10 p.m. the other days of the week.

There are several exceptions, including if the minor is with a parent or is traveling as part of his or her job or for a religious or school activity.

Albemarle and Norwood also have curfew ordinances, although their ordinances apply to minors under the age of 16.

Once the Stanfield curfew ordinance is written up, a public hearing will be conducted.