BANGOR – The city’s teen curfew will stand.

Councilors voted 9-0 on Monday in favor of making the city’s 5-year-old juvenile curfew a permanent mandate.

Councilor Michael Crowley observed that the council’s vote was more than a matter of enabling legislation to continue.

“We have a very aggressive and effective outreach when it comes to youth,” he said. “This ordinance helps stabilize the Police Department’s role in this process.”

Crowley saw the curfew as part of an overall city strategy that also involved engaging youth and working with them to build opportunities and activities, citing the skate park as an example.

“I think this is well worth our support,” agreed Councilor Gerry Palmer, adding that most young people understood the rationale behind the curfew.

The curfew, which was scheduled to expired Jan. 1 because of a sunset provision, came before the full council with recommendations from Police Chief Don Winslow and his officers and the council’s government operations committee.

Winslow said the curfew proved an effective tool in discouraging group gatherings and similar problems downtown and elsewhere in the city.

Bangor police have issued 62 summons since the curfew took effect in July 1997, Winslow said.

Parents, he said, have been supportive on the most part, Winslow said. Some parents weren’t aware that their children had snuck out until police contacted them.

City officials imposed the curfew in response to increases in juvenile crime and complaints about vandalism and disorderly conduct, especially downtown. Officials also were concerned about the safety of the youngsters.

The curfew applies to those under age 17 who are out between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. (midnight to 6 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays) without adult supervision and for no apparent reason.

It applies to public places such as streets, parks, parking lots and playgrounds and to privately owned businesses such as bars, restaurants, nightclubs, stores, bowling alleys and shopping malls.

Exceptions include post-curfew employment and travel to and from work; attending or traveling to or from adult-supervised school, recreational or religious activities; errands for parents or guardians; and emergencies.

The curfew does not apply to legally emancipated minors or minors with a parent, guardian or other authorized adult.

Failure to comply can lead to fines of up to $500, though most penalties run about $50.