Child/ Youth Programs
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR OUR NEXT BIKE RODEOThis FREE EVENT is sponsored by the Lake Forest Police Foundation takes place at the Deerpath-Oakwood and City Hall parking lots. The entire family will enjoy a day of fun, food, games, giveaways, and prizes. Kids, bring your bike and helmet to try your skills at the many safety stations.
Halloween SafetyTrick or Treat is a fun activity for children, their families, and the Lake Forest Police Department. Our officers enjoy handing out treats to the kids and trying to guess their costumes. We also visit the children at school to discuss how to have a fun and safe Halloween.
Click here or on the Trick or Treat pumpkin to see Officer Monahan's safety tips.
CurfewThe City of Lake Forest has a safe community thanks to the partnership between the citizens and the police department. Together we are able to be more proactive and head off potential problems before they get out of control.
One example of our teamwork is shown in the Curfew Ordinance. Not only is Curfew a wonderful tool that parents and the police department have to help children who have not fully developed their own sense of judgment, but it is also a way to set limits to help youths understand and respect the law. Curfew also encourages parents to know where their children are. As the old public service announcement stated on TV, "It's 11:00 and there's a Curfew - do you know where your children are?"
CURFEW HOURS:
- Between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Saturday (midnight Friday to 6:00 a.m. Saturday);
- Between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Sunday (midnight Saturday to 6:00 a.m. Sunday);
- Between 11:00 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday, inclusive, and 6:00 a.m. on the following day.
A minor (any person under 18 years of age) commits this offense if he or she remains in any public place or on the premises of any establishment during curfew hours.
A parent or guardian of a minor or other person in custody or control of a minor commits this offense if he or she knowingly permits the minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment during curfew hours.
Under the Illinois Graduated Driver Licensing Program, the following nighttime driving restrictions apply to persons less than 18 years of age:
- Between 11:00 p.m. Friday and 6:00 a.m. Saturday;
- Between 11:00 p.m. Saturday and 6:00 a.m. Sunday;
- Between 10:00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, inclusive, and 6:00 a.m. on the following day.
Illinois Vehicle Code 625 5/6-110a-1 states that the driver’s license of a person under 18 years of age shall be invalid for the operation of any motor vehicle during those times. (Exceptions: Illinois Vehicle Code 625 5/6-110a-2)
It is a fact that after 11:00 p.m. on weeknights and 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on the weekend most organized events that children under 18 years of age attend are complete. The danger of running into a drunk driver increases, and certain crimes such as vandalism increase.
Children are our future and every effort must be taken to make Lake Forest a safe place for them. In an effort to make children safe in Lake Forest, the Curfew Ordinance is enforced.
When faced with a child who has violated Curfew, a Lake Forest Police Officer has several options available to constructively enforce this law.
The first is a Verbal or Written Warning. This might be used with youths who are out only a short time after Curfew.
An Ordinance Violation Notice may be issued and the Curfew violator will be sent to Administrative Hearing. A Hearing Officer presides and, if found liable based on the evidence presented, fines, penalties and costs may be imposed according to the guidelines set forth in the City Code.
Finally, the Officer may arrest the child or have him/her referred to juvenile court where the courts will decide the punishment. As in all listed options, the child's parents will be notified and normally the child will be turned over to his/her parents at the Police Station.
Unless exceptions apply, for a person less than 18 years of age who is driving and out after Curfew, the Officer also has the option of issuing a traffic citation for driving with no valid driver's license. This could end up with that particular child losing his/her license and the parent's insurance rates going up.
Let's work together to make our children and community safe.