Columbia City Council makes curfew permanent

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A curfew imposed in Columbia after the beating of a teen earlier this year is now permanent.

Columbia City Council on Tuesday decided to make permanent the curfew in a 36-block area in one of the city’s popular nightspot districts.

The curfew orders people under age 17 to stay out of the Five Points area between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless they are accompanied by an adult.

The council had ordered a curfew for 60 days after Carter Strange was severely beaten in June. Eight people have been charged in the beating, some as young as 13.

Parents who do not stop repeat violations are subject to a 30-day jail sentence.

There are exceptions for those working in the area, or are on a church, civic or school event.