A proposal to change the city’s curfew ordinance so that children can stay out later in the evening will be discussed at a City Council meeting next month.

The rule change was originally scheduled to be discussed at a meeting this week, but will instead be a topic at the council’s June 1 meeting.

The proposal, which was brought about by Councilor Suzanne Joyce, is for the curfew ordinance to go into effect later in the evening – at 10 or 11 p.m., as opposed to 9.

The ordinance reads that it’s against the law “for any minor to loiter or to gather in a group of three or more minors upon any street, park, school or other public property…between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.”

The exceptions include a child who is accompanied by an adult, on the sidewalk of his or her house, returning from school, working or involved in a religious or volunteer activity.

Westbrook Police Chief Bill Baker said he thinks the ordinance is working as is, and does not support the change.

Joyce, however, believes the law is not being used appropriately, and the police are sending and bringing kids home when it’s not necessary.

Joyce also said last week that many parents and children she’s spoken to aren’t aware that they ordinance exists, and believes that, once the council decides whether to change it, they should be notified of the law.

The City Council meeting on Monday, June 1, is at 7 p.m. in Room 114 at Westbrook High School.