FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The city of Fond du Lac has a new tool to enforce the state’s “Safer at Home” order. It allows police to fine children and young adults for violations.
First time offenses for 12 and 13 year olds are $90. Teenagers between 14 and 16 years old could pay $187. Anyone older than that would be looking at a fine of up to $313.
Police Chief William Lamb of Fond du Lac says the new ordinance is meant to be another tool for dealing with violations.
“We have had a handful of criminal referrals that we’ve had to make for very blatant, egregious violations of the ‘Safer at Home’ order, but that’s not the way we deal with this with everybody.”
But as any parent knows by now, keeping your kids away from their friends is often easier said than done.
“They’re gonna go out and do what they want to do,” Fond du Lac mother Angela Grover said. “You can’t quarantine a 17-year-old.”
Movie theaters are closed. So are restaurants and other hangouts spots.
“When you got teenagers – I have a 17-year-old that doesn’t like to stay home – and to keep her in the house, it’s either a fight or let her go,” Grover said.
And dating? That’s going digital, too.
“The dating thing? I don’t know…webcam. You know, online, that’s about it,” said Grover.
Breaking the state’s “Safer at Home” order can cost big bucks, even if you’re just a kid.
“Most of the time, when a citation is issued, it’s because there is a blatant disrespect for the law, and further action is needed,” said Fond du Lac City Council president Brian Kolstad.
Children as young as 12 can be ticketed and fined. Parents and guardians could be cited too.
“I mean, what are you supposed to do? Keep your kids in the house all day? You know, if there was more for these kids to do and you take their rights away, they’re gonna rebel,” Grover said.
Lamb says the fines are meant to be a compromise between no punishment and filing charges.
“This ordinance would give us another tool to deal with those violations, where appropriate, because we can’t use criminal prosecution for all of those,” he said.
Grover tells FOX 11 these new measures are ridiculous.
“We have an 11 and 13-year-old son at home, and they go out, they come to the park, and no problems,” she said. “You know, if you raise your kids right, they’re not gonna be problems.”
