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City adjusts curfew to clear teens away from Southpark Mall

Posted at 3:18 PM, Feb 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-12 15:22:01-05

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. — Teenagers under the age of 18 will no longer be allowed to hangout outside after 11 p.m. in Colonial Heights. Police and City Council worked to adjust the city’s curfew from midnight to 11 p.m.

The adjustment was made in order to clear out parking lots around Southpark Mall, the movie theater and fast food restaurants, Colonial Heights Police spokesman Sgt. Rob Ruxer said.

“This change was brought about as a way to ensure the safety of all citizens, both residents and visitors,” he said.

The new Colonial Heights city curfew ordinance reads as follows:

It shall be unlawful for any minor to be, or remain, upon any public place within the City of Colonial Heights between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

“There are exceptions such as work, emergencies, a minor traveling to and from a lawful activity and when accompanied by a parent or authorized adult and others,” Sgt. Ruxer said. “The police department is requesting all parents to please help them with this by picking up their kids at the required times. This will help us keep their children safe.”

Video of teen fighting in a Colonial Heights parking lot went viral last March.

The video, which was posted to WorldStarHipHop, showed a group of teenagers standing outside a car. The teens open the car’s door and coax a passenger out.

Once outside the vehicle, the passenger and one of the high school-aged teens fight. During the fight, the passenger is knocked to the ground and has what appears to be a seizure. Members of the group that surrounded the car yell at the fallen passenger to “get up” and told onlookers he was "just sleeping."

The incident, which was reported at 7:15 on a Saturday night, was witnessed by several people who called 911 after seeing what happened.

The Chesterfield high school student knocked unconscious in the fight was among those charged in connection with the fight. A 18-year-old high school senior was charged with Assault and Batter, Trespassing and Disorderly Conduct, according to Colonial Heights Police. In addition to the 18-year-old Chesterfield student, a 19-year-old Petersburg man and a 17-year-old from Chester were also charged with Assault and Batter, Trespass and Disorderly Conduct.

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