Dewey changes certain charges from criminal to civil

Dewey Beach Town Council recently approved several ordinances recommended by Police Chief Constance Speake that change certain violations from criminal to civil. 

Included are noise complaints, both for residences and commercial businesses like bars and restaurants, and violations of the town’s 11 p.m. minor curfew.

Previously, these violations resulted in criminal charges and/or arrests, which were tacked onto a violator’s record. 

Now, they are considered civil offenses. This was already the case in most neighboring towns, including Rehoboth Beach.

“If you have a bunch of people having a gathering, and they’re playing music too loud, and you get a complaint, and you respond to the house, the citation would be an arrest,” Speake said. “That’s not reasonable to arrest somebody for that. We don’t want to spend our time arresting people for minor offenses.”

Now, per the changes, commercial businesses that violate the noise ordinance are subject to a $500 civil citation. For residences, the penalty is a $250 civil citation.

Minors who violate the town’s minor curfew are subject to a $100 civil citation. The police will still attempt to notify their parents and guardians, but they will not keep them in police custody. The minor will be required to go to the Alderman’s Court with their parents or guardians at a later date, but they will not receive criminal charges.