From left, Teresa Adams-Wilks, Stacey Thompson and Lindsey Bradley take their oaths of office to serve the next two years on Bullard's City Council. At Bullard City Council's meeting on Tuesday, council members unanimously approved an updated city curfew measure for those under 17.

The council held two public hearings prior to the ratification of the measure.

"The old ordinance had to be revised and updated," City Manager Larry Morgan said. "This gives us the ability to enforce it while changing times to help youth."

The ordinance states the city curfew prohibits "persons under 17 years of age from being in any public place or business establishment during curfew hours and prohibiting any parent or guardian from permitting or allowing his/her child or ward under 17 from being in any public place or business establishment during curfew hours."

Businesses are also not allowed to let teens remain on the premises during curfew hours - but provide certain exceptions.

Hours are 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day except Friday and Saturday - where it's extended to midnight.

The ordinance also states, "the city council has determined that there has been an increase in juvenile criminal activities in . Bullard."

And "persons under 17 years of age are particularly susceptible by their lack of maturity and experience to participate in unlawful activities and to be victims of older perpetrators of crime."

The council believes the ordinance is in the interest of the public health, safety and general welfare.

Exceptions to the ordinance include if the juvenile is:

! accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult;

! on an errand at the direction of the juvenile's parent or guardian without making any unnecessary detours or stops;

! in a motor vehicle involved in intrastate or interstate travel;

! engaged in lawful employment activity or going to or returning home by a direct route from employment;

! involved in an emergency or on an errand made necessary by an emergency;

! on a sidewalk abutting the juvenile's residence or abutting the residence of a next-door neighbor;

! attending a school, religious or government-sponsored activity supervised by adults or traveling by direct route to or from above mentioned activities; or

! is married or has been married or has the disabilities of minority removed in accordance with the Texas Family Code.

Violation of the ordinance will result in a maximum fine of $500 and each day a violation occurs will be a separate offense.

The council also swore in returning council members Lindsey Bradley, Stacey Thompson and Teresa Adams- Wilks. The three ran with no opposition for their seats.

Bullard City Council meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month.