Bentley town council has approved a new Community Standards Bylaw was approved.
Among many items that were in an older bylaw, a couple new things were added. Council feels most people will be happy to have it in place.
One new item is a curfew for anyone 15 years of age or under.
It states that no child 15 years of age or under who is not accompanied by a parent or guardian shall be in a public place between the hours of 11 p.m. to 6: a.m. If they are, they can be warned to go home by a peace officer or may be taken home or to a shelter. A parent or guardian guilty of letting a child break the law is subject to conviction.
The bylaw also makes bullying or participating in bullying in a public place against the law. Fighting and loitering in a public place is also not allowed.
It still covers such things as derelict vehicles and parts, graffiti, litter, nuisances including overhanging trees and weeds, accumulation of animal feces or rubbish, smoke, drainage and dust control and general property upkeep. Most of these were in the old nuisance bylaw.
There are fines for offenses ranging from $100 for not displaying civic address numbers on property to $500 for failing to maintain a yard or fighting or bullying or allowing contravention of the curfew.
