Florence City Council approves first reading on juvenile curfews

FLORENCE — Florence City Council on Monday approved first reading of an ordinance to establish a daytime curfew for juveniles 6 through 16 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on any school day.

The ordinance requires two readings before going into effect. The second reading is scheduled for council’s Aug. 10 meeting.

The ordinance is designed to address the whereabouts of juveniles on days when school is in session. The matter has been studied in detail by a group of citizens, representatives from schools, the police department, Department of Social Services, Department of Juvenile Justice and other agencies involved with youth in Florence.

The group gave careful study and review of the data regarding problems occurring during school hours. It recommended that this issue be presented to council in ordinance form to allow the city governing body to study the issues involved and take appropriate action.

“This is a necessary tool to lead kids to a productive life,” said Councilman Ed Robinson. “Kids who aren’t educated can’t succeed in today’s society.

We can’t allow these kids to run free in the streets. Let’s dig up the roots and fix this problem so that it won’t come back. Education is the key.”

Florence District 1 Superintendent of Education Larry Jackson was among those addressing council. He said he endorsed the ordinance.

“You had to be sick to be out of school when I was coming along,” he said. “This ordinance is all about not roaming the streets of Florence when you aren’t in school.”

“We want to try to get kids before they fall through the cracks,” said Florence County Department of Juvenile Justice director Reginald Cooper. “I encourage city council to pass this ordinance.”

“This is a start,” Councilman Billy D. Williams said. “Now we can move onto the next level.”

Council also discussed continued funding for the Downtown Development Corporation.

FDDC was awarded a $50,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant through the Rural Development Office this year. The grant follows a $200,000 RBEG in 2008.

The money is being used for a revolving loan fund that will assist in establishing new businesses and new jobs in the downtown revitalization area, which in turn benefits the city of Florence as a whole.

FDDC in March applied for an additional $99,999 grant to complete the feasibility study for the proposed Pee Dee Regional Artisans Center. The center would be housed in the old Royal Knight building at the southwest corner of Dargan and Evans streets.

Mayor Stephen Wukela said he about whether FDDC is a private or public corporation. He is also concerned about “$50,000 or more consulting fees the city has been funding for years.”

“I would like to see some concrete plans for FDDC to become independent,” he said.

“I think the FDDC board has done wonderful work,” said Councilwoman Octavia Williams-Blake. “I feel like it needs to be a private organization and the city needs to fund it. The money used to fund it is coming from hospitality tax funding that is set aside for the city to grow.”