LINN — Linn City Attorney Annie Willis looked into an ordinance that would set a curfew for unaccompanied minors as requested by Chief Sam Ford at a recent city meeting. She noted that cities of varying sizes utilize such ordinances.

“I think we could write one with enough exemptions that it would work, but we may want to ask Ford how big a problem this really is,” Willis said.

City Clerk Carrie Grellner noted that since school started, there haven’t been as many issues.

Willis said the easy part would be drafting the ordinance; the harder part would be enforcing it.

“We have so many rules out there with no bite to them,” Boeckmann said.

Willis agreed and suggested it might be a good idea to ask for public opinion on the matter. She also requested a report from Ford on how widespread the problems were.

Willis also took up the issue of profanity in the City Park.

“Someone asked if we could restrict that, and we probably can’t,” Willis said. “You will probably run into some First Amendment issues.”

Willis suggested that the issue could be covered under the existing ordinances for disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct.

“If there are a few too many f-bombs, maybe put up a nice sign that says, ‘Please be respectful to others,’” Willis said.

Flamm asked what could be done if one person shows up and starts using abusive language.

“We got an email that said if a sign goes up, they are going to go to the park and cuss all day and all night,” Grellner explained.

“That’s a threat,” Flamm said.

“That’s not threatening violence,” Willis said. “That’s just being a jerk. If people are being really nasty, that will be covered under disorderly conduct.”