Inuvik, N.W.T., mulls idea of curfew siren for youth

The town council in Inuvik, N.W.T., is considering using a siren to get youth to obey a curfew bylaw.

The new council met for the first time Wednesday night and the curfew was one of the first items on the agenda.

The bylaw currently says anyone 16 years of age and under should not be outside after 10 p.m. on weekdays, or after 11 p.m. on weekends. It carries a $100 fine, but the town has never been able to legally enforce the curfew.

Councillors say its time to either change the bylaw or get rid of it.

"It hasn't gone anywhere, and I can't see it going anywhere in the future," said councillor Jim McDonald.

Inuviks new mayor, Floyd Roland, agreed.

"That is a good question. If there isn't a way of enforcing it, should we be carrying it," he said.

One idea instead of a curfew is to use a siren to tell young people that its time to go home.

"It's a tool for parents to say, when the siren goes, you go home, and it lets kids know what time it is when they're out and about," said councillor Terry Halifax.

Council said they will ask people of Inuvik what they think of the idea.