Police dept. shares plan to implement curfew for minors
The City of Greensboro has officially hired a new city manager, ending the position’s four-month vacancy.
During Monday’s city council meeting, Autron Hayes was approved by the city council on a split vote of 3-1 and one abstention. Mayor Corey Williams nominated Hayes for the position during the council’s May 6 meeting.
City council members Morris Miller, Chris Moore, and Cynthia Rivers supported his appointment. Council member Jontavious Smith voted against Hayes, and David Neal abstained from voting.
Though Hayes was officially hired Monday night, he has worked with Mayor Corey Williams for more than a week. He credits Williams’ leadership for helping him hit the ground running.
“Busy, fun, you know, running around with the mayor, learning the ropes and everything,” Hayes told the Lake Oconee News. “He’s very knowledgeable, and that is a good thing.”
Most recently, Hayes served as city manager of Sylvester, a larger town in southwest Georgia than Greensboro. He hopes to move to the city soon.
Hayes is still meeting community members and fellow staffers.
“I’m just trying to get in, fit in, meet new staff,” Hayes said. “So, for what I’ve met and the neighbors and everybody, the merchants have been great.”
With his new job in hand, the new city manager is prioritizing interacting with the community. Rather than wait for the citizens to reach out to him, he believes he must “go out” into the community.
“Knock on the door, you know, sit around and hear their thoughts and what their issues are,” Hayes said, “and what they want for me to relay back to the mayor and council of Greensboro.”
As Hayes gets into a routine with his role as city manager, he hopes to establish beneficial relationships with the community.
Also, during the hourlong city council meeting, Tommy Nelson, assistant chief of Greensboro’s Police Department, updated the council on multiple law enforcement issues.
“Crimes against persons have unfortunately seen a bit of an increase,” Nelson said, “and that’s mainly due to a few unfortunate incidents we had.”
There was a shooting in the city in March and recent “smash and grab” break-ins at businesses near the interstate.
Nelson spent most of his time discussing the police department’s proposal to implement a curfew for individuals under 18.
“The curfew will run from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday, the curfew will run from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” Nelson said.
A copy of the proposed ordinance was provided to the Lake Oconee News. It states, “It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to loiter, wander, stroll, stand or sit idly, linger at a place aimlessly, play or remain” in public places without adult supervision during the designated times.
Exceptions include returning from school events, “emergency errands directed by parents/legal guardians,” and minors traveling to or from home for employment and traveling to exercise First Amendment rights.
Violators will first receive a warning from the police officer. Adults of minors violating the curfew would also receive a “warning citation,” and both could face fines up to $1,000.
The city council will vote on the proposed ordinance at its next meeting.
Other important points mentioned from Monday’s meeting:
Miller discussed a concern about citizens cooking and selling food on public property, primarily on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
“Every corner looks like someone is cooking; it looks like a kitchen out there,” he said. “Private property is different, but public property needs a city permit and health permit.”
Williams said the city has a permit that requires a fee. He said part of the problem is that the city has no zoning code to officially enforce existing ordinances. The city contracts with Bureau Veritas to evaluate zoning requests and regulations.
The Greensboro Police Department is in the final stages of hiring for the animal control position and hopes to have the final candidate join before the week concludes.
The department is also building an obstacle course to test police officer candidates.
The city council approved $42,000 for a vehicle for the wastewater department and $31,500 for a federally required study of water lines in the city that are made of lead.