Dowagiac Police Department receives periodic inquiries regarding city ordinance code curfew and other regulations pertaining to minors.
As the weather warms and spring break approaches, Dowagiac Director of Public Safety Thomas A. Atkinson felt it timely to publish these codes as reminders that we all have a responsibility toward establishing and maintaining a safe and pleasant community.
Sec 58-211. Minors under 13.
No minor under the age of 13 years shall loiter, idle or congregate in or on any public street, highway, alley or park between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian, or some adult delegated by the parent or guardian to accompany the child.
Sec. 58-1212. Minors under 17.
No minor under the age of 17 years shall loiter, idle or congregate in or on any public street, highway, alley or park between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 a.m., immediately following, except where the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian, or some adult over the age of 21 years, delegated by the parent or guardian to accompany the minor child, or where the minor is upon an errand or legitimate business directed by his parent or guardian.
Sec. 53-213. Aiding or abetting violation of section 58-211 or 58-212.
Any person of the age of 17 years or over assisting, aiding abetting, allowing, permitting or encouraging any minor under the age of 17 years to violate the provisions of section 58-211 or 58-212 shall be guilty of a violation of this article.
Sec. 58-214. Contributing to the delinquency of minor. It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to encourage, contribute toward, cause or intend to cause a minor child under the age of 17 years to become neglected or delinquent, so as to come or tend to come under the jurisdiction of the juvenile division of the probate court, as defined in section 2 of chapter 12(1a) of Act No. 288 of Public Acts of Michigan of 1939 (MCL 701.1 et seq., MSA 27.3178(1) et seq.), as added by Act No. 54 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1944 (Ex. Sess.) (MCL 712A.1 et seq., MSA 27.3178(598.1) et seq.) and any amendments thereto, whether or not such child shall thereafter in fact be adjudicated as a ward of the probate court.
Sec. 58-215.  Alcohol — minor in possession.
It shall be unlawful for any person in the city under the age of 21 years to knowingly possess any alcoholic liquor.
Sec. 58-216.  Same — furnishing to minor.
It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to knowingly give or furnish any alcoholic beverage to a minor.
Sec. 58-217. Same – purchase by a minor.
It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to purchase, while under the age of 21 years, alcoholic liquor or other intoxicating beverages.
Sec. 58-218.  Same — misrepresenting age to procure. It shall be unlawful for any person in the city, while under the age of 21 years, to falsely represent himself to be 21 years of age or over, for the purpose of purchasing or attempting to purchase an alcoholic liquor.
Sec. 58-219.  Same — possession by minor in a motor vehicle. It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to possess, transport, or have under his control any alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, while under the age of 21 years.