Gretna plans to tighten its curfew

By John Crane

Published: September 3, 2008

The town of Gretna hopes to beef up its juvenile curfew to help prevent petty crime among teenagers, and residents will have a chance Monday night to speak out on the plan.
The Gretna Town Council wants to tighten the curfew from 12 a.m. to 11 p.m., one year after the town implemented a midnight curfew for those 17 and under. The ordinance has reduced problems from late-night vandalism and other destructive activity, but the potential remains for random acts of after-dark mischief, Gretna Town Manager David Lilly said in a previous interview.
A public hearing on the proposed change will be held at 8 p.m. Monday at Gretna Town Hall.
Lilly said there is no reason for teens under 18 to be out after 11 p.m., when businesses in town are closed.
Gretna’s chief of police has said the tougher curfew would be a good idea, according to the town manager.
An earlier curfew would ease the burden on the town’s police department, especially when an officer goes on vacation or takes sick leave, Lilly said.
Gretna Mayor Glenna Lingafelt said she also agrees with the idea.
“If the police department thinks it’s necessary, I’m all for it,” Lingafelt said Wednesday. “They’re the ones who have to patrol the streets.”
Under the curfew, parents would be held liable and fined for children caught in town after hours.
Teens leaving a job or accompanied by an adult guardian would be exempt from the curfew, which extends until 5 a.m.
•Contact John R. Crane at or (434) 791-7987.