CLEVELAND — It was a busy night for Cleveland City Council Monday, with legislators approving both tougher curfew laws as well as an agreement that would bring broadband access to residents across the city.
The new curfew restrictions, spearheaded by Safety Committee Chair Michael Polensek, will apply to those under the age of 18. Children will be banned from public spaces during the following hours unless accompanied by a parent or guardian:
- Ages 12 and under: Dark
- Ages 13-14: 9:30 p.m.-6 a.m.
- Ages 15-16: 11 p.m.-6 a.m.
- Age 17: Midnight-6 a.m.
Once the new guidelines take effect, if kids are found to be in violation of the ordinance, their parents and guardians will be the ones penalized due to their "duty to supervise the minor." First-time violators would face a fourth-degree misdemeanor (up to a $250 fine and up to 30 days in jail), while second-time offender would face a third-degree misdemeanor (up to a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail). If the parent can’t pay, they would be required to perform community service.
"I'm done dealing with this element who wants to terrorize our neighborhoods, but yet, the parents aren't held accountable," Polensek told 3News last week. "The party's over! The game is over! You want children? Be responsible for them."
In addition to the curfew changes, Council also approved an agreement with SiFi Networks to construct a massive broadband network throughout the city. The company will privately invest at least $400 million in the project, which will not cost taxpayers a dime.
"Internet access should be a right for all Cleveland residents and not a privilege for only those who can afford it," Mayor Justin Bibb said this past spring when proposing the contract with SiFi. "SiFi's investment in Cleveland has the potential to transform our economy for generations."
Under the terms of the agreement, SiFi will be able to "burrow under the city’s right of way" and even "create trenches on the city’s tree lawns to pull the fiber through, or move sidewalks for the burrowing or trenching." The project is expected to take several years, but once finished, SiFi can then sell wholesale access to phone and cable companies who will then offer fiber broadband to citizens and businesses.
The SiFi deal is part of the Bibb administration's two-pronged approach to expanding digital access in Cleveland. Back in June, legislators paused a separate deal that would've given nonprofit DigitalC $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to create a citywide internet network. Councilmembers expressed concerns about DigitalC's ability to complete the project.
Other highlights from Monday's meeting included:
- Cleveland Major Events Fund: Council approved A new grant program supporting "land national-scale sporting, fine arts, historic, natural/recreational, culinary, lifestyle, or creative industry events in Cleveland." The $2 million fund will be earmarked for investing in "high-profile events that bring economic activity and positive national attention to Cleveland," with Destination Cleveland Managing the program.
- Police helicopters: Polensek co-sponsored, and Council approved, separate legislation that will ask MD Helicopters to convert to helicopters for use by the Cleveland Division of Police. Supporters hope the use of helicopters will help reduce the need for high-speed road pursuits of suspects.