Pembroke Mayor Judy Cook raised concerns during the City Council meeting Monday about juveniles breaking curfew.
“I’ve got a phone call and some of the council members have received calls about curfew and our young people … I think it’s the consensus of the council to start enforcing the curfew,” Cook said.
Pembroke Police Chief Randy Alexander said the curfew ordinance was indeed in effect and that his department would be enforcing it.
“Every officer has been given the curfew ordinance ... We’re going to put it out on social media about the curfew, that we will strictly enforce it,” he said. “There may be some complaints, but we’re going to start strictly enforcing the curfew.”
The ordinance states a curfew is in effect for those under the age of 14 between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. For those between the ages of 14 and 17, the curfew is in effect from 12:01 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.
In other business, the city was given a unique gift during the council meeting.
Descendants of the city’s namesake, Judge Pembroke Whitfield Williams, presented the council with a framed photo of the judge and a copy of his law license. Prior to this donation, a photo of Williams did not exist with other historical documentations of the city’s past.
Also at the meeting:
The council approved an amendment to the city’s charter to require only one reading of a proposed resolution before a vote can take place, unless otherwise required by law. Previously, the charter required two readings at two separate council meetings.
The council approved a temporary waiver of fees for tree debris through Monday due to Hurricane Irma. Larger limbs should be cut if possible, and the debris should be placed near the road for pick up. This applies to vegetative debris only.
The date for the Christmas Parade was set for Dec. 9. This year, the parade will be held in the evening from 5-8 p.m. and will include the official lighting of the tree. The vendor market will open at 3 p.m. and will be located along both sides of Railroad Street.
Chief Alexander reported that no businesses were burglarized during the extended power outage following the hurricane.
Other items of business included adopting an official set of rules for Bucket Brigades that emphasize matters of safety and allow for penalizing groups that do not comply; and naming the council chambers in honor of former Mayor Harry Owens.