Bell Municipal Code Ch. 9.12 Offenses by or Against Minors

It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to loiter, idle, wander, or be in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement and eating places, vacant lots or any unsupervised place between the hours of ten p.m. and sunrise of the immediately following day. This section shall not apply when:

A. The minor is accompanied by his or her parent, legal guardian or other adult person having the legal care or custody of the minor, or by his or her spouse 18 years of age or older;

B. The minor is on any errand directed by his or her parent or legal guardian or other adult person having the legal care or custody of the minor, or by his or her spouse 18 years of age or older;

C. The minor is returning directly home from a public meeting, or a place of public entertainment, such as a movie, play, sporting event or school activity; or

D. The presence of such minor in such place or places is connected with or required with respect to a business, trade, profession or occupation in which the minor is lawfully engaged.

(Prior code § 3995.1; Ord. 1105 § 2, 1995)

It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years, who is subject to compulsory education or to compulsory continuation education to loiter, idle, wander, or be in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement and eating places, vacant lots or any unsupervised place during the hours of seven forty-five a.m. and one-thirty p.m. on days when school is in session. This section does not apply:

A. When the minor is accompanied by his or her parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care or custody of the minor; or

B. When the minor is on an emergency errand directed by his or her parent or guardian or other adult person having care or custody of the minor; or

C. When the minor is going or coming directly from or to their place of gainful employment or to or from a medical appointment; or

D. To students who have permission to leave school campus for lunch or school-related activity and have in their possession a valid, school-issued, off-campus permit; or

E. When the minor is off school track.

(Prior code § 3995.2; Ord. 1105 § 2, 1995)

A. When a minor under 18 years of age is detained for violating any public offense, and the minor is detained for a period of time in excess of one hour, and such detention required the supervision of the juvenile offender by Bell police department personnel, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) having custody or control of such minor shall be jointly and severally liable for the cost of providing such personnel in excess of one hour.

B. As determined by the chief of police or his or her designee, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) having custody or control of such minor shall be jointly and severally liable for the costs of police services for the detention, processing, transportation and supervision of such minor, except that supervision costs may only be assessed when the minor is detained in excess of one hour. Such time period shall begin from the moment of the initial detention.

C. Any person receiving a bill for police services pursuant to this section may, within 15 days after the billing date, file a written request appealing the imposition of the charges. Any billing sent pursuant to this section shall inform the billed party of the right to appeal the billing. Any appeal regarding billing shall be heard by the chief administrative officer or his or her designee, as the hearing officer. Within 10 days after the hearing, the hearing officer shall give written notice of the decision to the appellant. Upon the filing of a request for an appeal, payment of the bill for the services shall be suspended until notice of the decision of the hearing officer. If the appeal is denied in part or in full, all amounts due to the city shall be paid within 30 days after notice of the decision of the hearing officer.

(Prior code § 3997; Ord. 1105 § 3, 1995)