Coatesville is taking a second look at its curfew after resident complaints about children wandering the streets late night.

Nancy Coates of Fleetwood Street called for council at its June 23 meeting to move the curfew back to 9 p.m. from 11 p.m. "Something has to be done," she said, "Third and sixth graders with no principles whatsoever are on the streets late at night." said Coates. "We need to put an officer on the street, walking the beat, then the kids will know."

Council President Karen Jorgenson called for Police Chief William Matthews to review the city's curfew ordinances. Matthews said that could be done, but added it might not solve the problem

But City Manager Harry Walker countered, saying citing the parents of children found violating the curfew would have an impact. "Wait to they start getting fines . . . " he said.

"We have to stop taking about it and start taking action," said Council Member Marty Eggleston. "I'm tired of knocking on someone's door at 11:30 at night and saying, 'Here are your children. I found them in my backyard.' Right now a lot of people believe they can do whatever they want and there are no consequences."

Council Member Patsy Ray said kids as young as six or seven years of age are out on the streets with no parental supervision. "I think their mothers give them breakfast and then just put them out on the street," she said.

Said Eggleston: "It's important that we hold the parents of these children accountable."

At past meeting, Matthews has outlined plans for late-night basketball to be held at one of the schools as a means to help control juvenile crime.