P'burg rule allows cops to return truants to school Thursday, May 03, 2007 • By DANIEL HAUSMANN • The Express-Times PHILLIPSBURG | Under a town ordinance passed Tuesday night, local police have the power to stop students seen walking the streets during school hours and take them back to class. Town council passed the daytime curfew ordinance and waived the customary 20-day waiting period so the rule is in effect now. Bill Merrick, a school security director and town councilman, said the move is very much needed. "There is an increasing truancy problem, especially in the high school," Merrick said. "I'm in court every Wednesday throughout the year on truancy." James Stettner, council vice president and former police chief, said there used to be a state law allowing cops to stop students and ask them why they are not in school. With the passing of the new ordinance, police can stop a student and if the child doesn't have a proper excuse he or she can be brought back to school. The administration would take over punishing the student at that point. "We've had moms go to jail because their kids are being truant," Stettner said. Cops won't pick up kids who attend an approved work experience program or former students who are off the school register. Parochial or private school children whose schools have different schedules are also exempt. Reporter Daniel Hausmann can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at dhausmann@express-times.com. © 2007 The Express-Times. Used with permission.