Birmingham, AL – The Birmingham City Council, on an 8-1 vote, has approved a stiff curfew for youngsters.
Council members approved the new rules at a Tuesday meeting.
The new city law calls for fines starting at $500 for each offense and tightens the hours youngsters can be away from home. Youths are prohibited from being on the streets after 9 p-m on weekdays and 11 p.m. on holidays and weekends.
Parents can also be held liable if their children violate curfew.
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford had proposed the curfew after a 16-year-old male was arrested for a double homicide July 5 outside a Five Points South nightclub.
The curfew rules go into effect Oct. 1.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)