Curfew aims to cut down on crime

FORSYTH TOWNSHIP — A number of recent incidents involving vandalism and even home invasion in Forsyth Township have led police to take measures to help prevent more crime.

The Forsyth Township Police Department announced that enforcement of the township’s curfew ordinance would be taking place in hopes that it might stave off further incidents. The ordinance prohibits those under the age of 17 from being out and about without supervision between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The nature of these crimes supports the suspicion that young people could be responsible.

“This is nothing new or unique to our township, but there’s been an uptick in it since summer’s here and the school is out, and that was what prompted me to have my officers start enforcing the curfew ordinance,” said Gordon Warchock, Chief of Police at the Forsyth Township Police Department. “My officers are going to — if they come across somebody in violation of the ordinance — they’re going to talk with the individuals, figure out what’s going on, why they’re out, and [on] a case-by-case basis, they’ll make a decision whether they should cite the underage person for being in violation of the ordinance.”

In addition to officers, volunteers from the Community Watch at K.I. Sawyer and the department’s own Adults Committed Toward Implementing Volunteer Efforts (A.C.T.I.V.E.) group are working to keep an eye on the community. Citizens who see any suspicious activity are advised to call 9-1-1 to report it.