Do Loitering Laws Still Exist in Campbell?

Is there anything you have ever wanted to know from Campbell Police Department? Well, this is your chance to ask. 

Patch has always strived to bring its readers all types of information and keep them updated on what is happening in their communities. It is with that in mind that we bring you our column, “Ask a Campbell Cop.” We'll be teaming up with the Campbell Police Department to answer your questions.

Whether you have a question about certain laws and how they might affect you, your family or friends, or how to stay safe in certain situations, we want you to ask them. Every week we will run two or three questions and give some answers.

To submit a question, email mayra.marcotte@patch.com or add it in the comments section below.

This week's questions from Campbell Patch readers were answered by Campbell Police Captain Charley Adams.

Q: What is the deal with loitering laws? Are they still on the books? Are they ever enforced?

The Campbell Municipal Code prohibits Loitering and I have attached the code below.

8.16.010 - Loitering.

No person under the age of eighteen years shall be in or upon the public streets, parks, public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots, or other unsupervised places between the hours of ten p.m. and the time of sunrise of the following day, unless accompanied by his or her parents or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor, or where the minor is upon an errand or legitimate business directed by his or her parent or guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor, where the minor is returning home from a school, church or civic function, the essence of which is readily ascertainable.

That said, it very rarely results in an arrest or citation. Our normal practice would be to determine if we have a violation, and then work to correct the situation by dispersing the loiterers, call the parents to pick up the juvenile, etc. ... 

Read more "Ask a Campbell Cop" questions and answers here.

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