Youth Issues
It is the goal of the Burbank Police Department to
provide resources, as required by law as well as by social conscience, to
provide for the safety of those under 18 years of age.
This includes those who have been victimized through abuse and neglect,
as well as those who have shown defiance of social standards by delinquent
actions. Additionally, the Burbank
Police Department recognizes it’s responsibility to balance the overall well being
of juveniles who are temporarily detained for criminal activity with the safety
of the community. Toward these
goals, it is our purpose to recognize the need for flexibility as the legal and
social standards and procedures in this area are in a dynamic state of change
and upgrade.
It
is the intention of the Burbank Police Department to strictly adhere to the
provisions of the Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) and other legal
guidelines, as may be required, for situations involving juveniles.
Curfew Law
The City of Burbank has enacted a daytime and nighttime curfew (loitering) ordinance. One part of the ordinance deals with loitering by minors under the age of 18 between the hours of 10:00 PM and sunrise. The law is designed to protect the community from juveniles who engage in criminal mischief and to protect the juveniles from negative influences or circumstances. The law does not prohibit minors from being out during these hours, only from being out without a lawful purpose. The second part of the ordinance deals specifically with minors who are subject to compulsory education and is in effect between the hours of 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM on school days. The law does not prohibit minors from being out during these hours, only from being out without a lawful purpose.
This ordinance is found in the Burbank Municipal Code Section 20-110. Minors in violation of this ordinance will be cited into Juvenile Traffic Court where they may be given a fine and/or community service.
Runaway Resources
Although by definition a runaway is not a criminal violation, the Burbank Police Department views this seemingly harmless action by some youth as a serious safety and community problem. Minors not under the care and control of their parent(s) are much more vulnerable to becoming victims of crime. Additionally, a minor who runs away from home is not very likely to continue to attend school.
The Burbank Police Department works in association with the Los Angeles County Probation Department and the Burbank Unified School District to staff the Burbank Outreach Center to assist with counseling and other support resources for at-risk youth. Some of the useful resources available are:
COUNSELING SERVICES: HOTLINES:
Burbank Outreach Center: Drug Abuse Information
(818) 558-5544 &Treatment Referral Line:
(800) 821-4357
Action: (800) 282-5660
(+24 hr Hot Line) Marijuana Anonymous:
(800) 766-6779
Because I Love You: (818) 882-4881
(Boys Town National Hotline:
Parent Resource Center: (800) 448-3000
800) 815-8010
Parental Stress Line:
Families Anonymous: (800) 632-8188
(310) 815-8010
Parents Without Partners:
Tough Love: (714) 665-6565 (800) 637-7974
California Youth Crisis Line:
PRIVATE PRACTICIONERS: (800) 843-5200
Denise Grimes, PhD, MFCC: (818) 842-6459
Jerry Hansen PhD: (818) 841-1121
Bikes/Skateboards/Scooters/Roller blades
As of January 1, 2003 the State Legislature enacted a law requiring that any operator, under 18 years of age, of a bicycle, skates, in-line skates, non-motorized scooter or skateboard must wear an approved helmet (California Vehicle Code section, 21212[a]). Additionally, the safety helmet must be latched when worn.
What is an approved safety helmet? A safety helmet must be approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The helmet must have a label, clearly attached, showing the safety helmet conforms to the safety standards set by ASTM or CPSC.
What many people do not realize is that a bicyclist is also required to abide by the same traffic laws that drivers of motor vehicles are required to follow. The only difference is that a bicyclist does not need a driver’s license or vehicle registration to operate the bicycle. Bicyclists must operate the bicycle on the right side of the roadway, in the same direction motor vehicles are traveling. Bicyclists do not enjoy any of the special right-of-way treatments afforded to pedestrians. Some examples of laws that bicyclists must follow are that a bicyclist must yield to pedestrians in on roadway, yield the right-of-way to all vehicles so close as to constitute a hazard when entering a roadway from public or private property, and fully stop at all stop signs and red traffic signals. Bicycles must be equipped with a brake. Only a bicycle designed and equipped to safely carry two rides (bicycle-built-for-two) may carry a passenger. Additional pegs or long seat do not satisfy this requirement. A bicycle must be equipped with a light and reflectors when operated at night.
In addition to the California Vehicle Code, the City of Burbank has enacted local ordinances related to the operation of skateboards. Per the Burbank Municipal Code, skateboards may not be operated in the roadway, not even when crossing a street or alley. The skateboard operation may not interfere with pedestrians walking on a sidewalk. Non-motorized scooters and skates must follow the same rules as skateboarders.
The intent of these laws, both the Burbank Municipal Code and the California Vehicle Code, is to protect lives and property, not to infringe on the rights of individuals.