thedrifter
04-23-09, 06:26 AM
New base order sets juvenile curfew
4/22/2009 By Sgt. Judith Carver , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
As of April 15, Marine Corps Base Quantico began enforcing order MCBO 5500.6 that imposes a curfew for anyone under the age of 18 who is not active duty military or married.
“There has been an increase of vandalism on base,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jason Ellington, the operations chief for Security Battalion.
Damage to government property isn’t the only issue with juveniles being out late.
Juvenile misconduct hearings cover everything from 911 hang-ups, shop lifting, skate boarding and underage alcohol consumption, said Lisa Jones, the investigative assistant for Marine Corps Combat Development Command and Marine Corps Base Quantico.
All minors not accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult must abide by the curfew.
“The curfew hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and Friday, Saturday and the day before a federal holiday from midnight to 5 a.m.,” said Ellington. “We looked at what other military installations implemented and modeled the curfew after them.”
According to the order, minors must be in assigned quarters, off the street, and out of public places, unless they are at a legitimate activity.
Exceptions to the curfew would be if a minor is working, involved in religious activities, participating in Marine Corps Community Service or school-sponsored events, said Ellington.
Traveling to and from these activities is also exclusion to the curfew.
When we find a minor out past curfew we pick them up, issue a juvenile misconduct notice and return them to their parent or guardian, said Ellington. The misconduct notice is then forwarded to the Command Inspector General’s Office.
“Once we get the misconduct notification from Security Battalion, we call the sponsor and offender in for a juvenile misconduct hearing,” said Patricia Epple, the command inspector general for Marine Corps Combat Development Center and Quantico. “During the hearing we ask the minor about the incident to get their side of the story and we find out what actions the parents or guardians have taken,” said Epple.
Punishments may range from community service to restriction to quarters. The most severe cases can penalize minors with debarment from base.
“Restriction to quarters is our biggest deterrent,” said Epple. “Juveniles can be held on restriction up to 90 days.”
Not only is it important to reprimand offenders, they must also realize the consequences of their actions.
“We make every juvenile write an essay about the misconduct committed,” said Epple. “They write about what they did and how they have learned from it.”
For those who do not learn from their mistakes, a harsher punishment is given.
“Juveniles are going to be held accountable for their actions,” said Epple. “We want to get their attention.”
Quantico is currently in the process of working with Prince William County to refer juvenile cases for civilian judicial processing.
Records from the office reported 11 juvenile misconduct hearings last year and four so far this year. “Once the word gets out and the parents know about the order, it will reduce the number of juveniles out at night,” said Ellington. “Our goal is to reduce juvenile misconducts and ensure their safety.”
To view the order, visit www.quantico.usmc.mil.
Ellie
4/22/2009 By Sgt. Judith Carver , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
As of April 15, Marine Corps Base Quantico began enforcing order MCBO 5500.6 that imposes a curfew for anyone under the age of 18 who is not active duty military or married.
“There has been an increase of vandalism on base,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jason Ellington, the operations chief for Security Battalion.
Damage to government property isn’t the only issue with juveniles being out late.
Juvenile misconduct hearings cover everything from 911 hang-ups, shop lifting, skate boarding and underage alcohol consumption, said Lisa Jones, the investigative assistant for Marine Corps Combat Development Command and Marine Corps Base Quantico.
All minors not accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult must abide by the curfew.
“The curfew hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and Friday, Saturday and the day before a federal holiday from midnight to 5 a.m.,” said Ellington. “We looked at what other military installations implemented and modeled the curfew after them.”
According to the order, minors must be in assigned quarters, off the street, and out of public places, unless they are at a legitimate activity.
Exceptions to the curfew would be if a minor is working, involved in religious activities, participating in Marine Corps Community Service or school-sponsored events, said Ellington.
Traveling to and from these activities is also exclusion to the curfew.
When we find a minor out past curfew we pick them up, issue a juvenile misconduct notice and return them to their parent or guardian, said Ellington. The misconduct notice is then forwarded to the Command Inspector General’s Office.
“Once we get the misconduct notification from Security Battalion, we call the sponsor and offender in for a juvenile misconduct hearing,” said Patricia Epple, the command inspector general for Marine Corps Combat Development Center and Quantico. “During the hearing we ask the minor about the incident to get their side of the story and we find out what actions the parents or guardians have taken,” said Epple.
Punishments may range from community service to restriction to quarters. The most severe cases can penalize minors with debarment from base.
“Restriction to quarters is our biggest deterrent,” said Epple. “Juveniles can be held on restriction up to 90 days.”
Not only is it important to reprimand offenders, they must also realize the consequences of their actions.
“We make every juvenile write an essay about the misconduct committed,” said Epple. “They write about what they did and how they have learned from it.”
For those who do not learn from their mistakes, a harsher punishment is given.
“Juveniles are going to be held accountable for their actions,” said Epple. “We want to get their attention.”
Quantico is currently in the process of working with Prince William County to refer juvenile cases for civilian judicial processing.
Records from the office reported 11 juvenile misconduct hearings last year and four so far this year. “Once the word gets out and the parents know about the order, it will reduce the number of juveniles out at night,” said Ellington. “Our goal is to reduce juvenile misconducts and ensure their safety.”
To view the order, visit www.quantico.usmc.mil.
Ellie