Do curfew ordinances for youth help?

**Pinki** · 01-07-07, 01:01 PM

Hi folks.

In our area, the 'idea du jour' is to pass a curfew for youth. This situation mainly grew out of some residents in the vicinity of a roller skating rink where juveniles tend to walk back and forth between the rink and movie theatre late at night. This is a small-ish town with high unemployment and not much for kids to do. I do not have kids nor live in town so it doesn't affect me much, but it is debated pretty hotly on a local blog. So, I'm curious as to whether law enforcement thinks this sort of thing is truly helpful. In addition, it would mean a whole lot more work for law enforcement who will have to pick all these kids up (or some such thing).

**chris2001** · 01-07-07, 01:12 PM

It can work depends on how its enforeced. Around my area its pointless because if I write a curfew violation its gets dismissed in court and a letter is sent out to the parents telling them simply not to let it happen again or SRS will be called. Even if it happens a second time SRS is still not involved and the citation still gets dropped the second time. So basically its pointless around here.

**Crimebytes2** · 01-07-07, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by chris2001

It can work depends on how its enforeced. Around my area its pointless because if I write a curfew violation its gets dismissed in court and a letter is sent out to the parents telling them simply not to let it happen again or SRS will be called. Even if it happens a second time SRS is still not involved and the citation still gets dropped the second time. So basically its pointless around here.

Do you even bother with writing them then?

**Piggybank Cop** · 01-07-07, 01:19 PM

Betcha it’d work in conjunction with a shoot on sight order.

Or at least a Tase on sight order.

**Pinki** · 01-07-07, 01:22 PM

Chris2001 I have a strong feeling that is exactly what is going to happen.

**Beans** · 01-07-07, 01:41 PM

We write them all the time. Nothing happens but it is a good way to document juveniles who are out late. Then when there is car break in etc, you can look back at the curfews for possible suspects.

**121Traffic** · 01-07-07, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by bull3032

We use it as kind of a "trump card"...if we contact a local turd kid who's out...he's going to get taken in. If it's a kid who's got a bad attitude...he's going to get taken in. But if it's a "John Q" type kid who's just going home (not getting into trouble), we typically let it slide. Kind of like "Public Intox"...as long as you're not a total asshole, we can help figure out a solution for you that may not involve getting locked up. However, there is one officer I work with that'll bring kids in 5 minutes after curfew no matter what...that particular officer is just trying to put up great arrest stats. That officer sucks.

Along with Beans post regarding keeping tabs on your problem kids, I agree with Bull in that I only write them when there's cause. You run, and I get to tack the curfew on. You're a mouth, i get to ruin your good time with friends and run you into the station.

We are pretty steady most nights when most curfew violations occur (2300-0300), so we don't have a lot of time to dick with it. Status offenses (curfew, underage consumption tobacco/alcohol, etc) in the absence of other non-age related charges, do not let us hold juveniles in a secure area, so we just bring them to our lobby. We skip the automated booking and just do a handwritten custody form on them, no prints, etc. Snap a quick digital photo, fill out a ticket, and call the parents. Take the shitbirds shoes, coat, and all other belongings, and lock them up so they don't think about splitting, and let the kid wait in the lobby for their parents to show. That all only takes about ten minutes, and if the parents are going to take longer than that, I leave them there and am back out on the street til mom and dad show.

**jmur5074** · 01-07-07, 08:51 PM

We do it similar to Bull and 121.

First off, like Bull said, if it's John Q. Publics kid out rollerblading around the lake, or driving home from a movie, we typically will let it slide, and send 'em home.

If it's a kid that I find in a backyard that's not his, or skateboarding on private property, etc...they come to the station with me, OR I take them home to mom and dad, depending on how busy we are. Then that kid gets cited for curfew. And our courts don't just automatically drop it, but they aren't exactly sticklers with juvenile status crimes either.

**tapout** · 01-07-07, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by bull3032

However, there is one officer I work with that'll bring kids in 5 minutes after curfew no matter what...that particular officer is just trying to put up great arrest stats. That officer sucks.

agreed

i doubt any supervisor, or any leo in general, feels that a bunch of juvenile curfew arrests really count as great arrest stats, but i totally agree with your point.

that being said, i wouldnt mind having a curfew where i work. at a minimum, its instant pc to make a lock up when looking for bigger and better things. lets not lose sight of the fact that kids (under 18) deal drugs, kids carry guns, kids committ violent crimes, etc...it certainly would make things easier to be able to arrest them on contact simply for being out past a certain time. Search incident to arrest, who knows what youll get into.

although i would agree with the above posters that most curfew violations are pointless, its just another tool that could come in handy. a little discretion paired with some common sense goes a long way.

**tapout** · 01-07-07, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by bull3032

hmmmm...you wouldn't think so, but.....

lol...youre right, those guys are out there

**PersiusOne** · 01-08-07, 12:43 AM

I let curfew slide usually, but the law allows me a great opportunity to find out if they have anything illegal on them. I've contacted a ton of juvs who were out past curfew and happen to be drunk or have drugs, weapons, spray paint, etc.

**Pinki** · 01-08-07, 06:43 AM

Thanks for all the thought provoking replies, folks. I was sort of against the idea thinking it would tie up law enforcement from the more serious stuff; but, from most of what you are saying, it can be a helpful tool in bringing in some of the more serious stuff too.

**OfficerResource.com** · 01-08-07, 06:50 AM

We enforce curfew and it works great! The first offense we usally call parents and make them come get kid. second cite kid for curfew. Again like others court does nothing with these kids.

On the third offense we cite the parents for permitting a juvenile out after curfew. NOW THIS WORKS. THe parents are hit with a fine of $125.00. Usally don't get kids after it hits the parents pocket books. It is amazing how parents will start making sure their kids are inside after 11pm after they have had to pay a fine!

**Jenna** · 01-08-07, 09:28 AM

What if the kids are vampire slayers? They do most of their work at night.

**cntryboy0531** · 01-08-07, 10:22 AM

We have one, and it works great if used properly. A lot of times during the summer, kids get "bored" and decide the best way to have a good time, is to go hitting mailboxes, cars, burglarizing things, etc.. So, in select area's we cite the kid for out past curfew, and release to mom and dad. Mom or Dad gets fined $50 to the court, and they have to appear in front of the judge.

I had one Lt. who wanted us to enforce it on any kid the ordinance was applicable to. I thought that was BS, but whatever floated his boat. Still didn't do it unless I felt the situation called for it.

**Dudleydoright** · 01-08-07, 10:23 AM

Jenna,
Just to add to what's already been said. For our area kids under the age of 17 have a curfew. They are not bothered if we find that they're driving home from work etc. Unfortunately, younger kids who are out at night do get into things (sometimes) that they aren't supposed to.......destrution of properties, thefts etc. The family court doesn't call them in for an isolated incident. They look for multiple infractions and continueing behavior. We also notify parents or take them home. Sometimes the parents are suprised as the kids have snuck? out of the house. Yes, the curfew laws are good.

**BigRich** · 01-08-07, 01:34 PM

We had a curfew that really wasn't worth a shit. It was set too late. We still had the vandalism and crime that goes along with turd kids. So we changed the curfew to two hours earlier.

What a difference two hours makes. The random acts of vandalism stopped. Don't get me wrong, the turd kids still cause trouble, but the "bored kids" trouble pretty much went away.

As for citing them, we do. And they pay. Our judge is pretty strict on that, so if a curfew ticket gets written, it doesn't get tossed out.

**Coloradocop** · 01-08-07, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by 121Traffic

Along with Beans post regarding keeping tabs on your problem kids, I agree with Bull in that I only write them when there's cause. You run, and I get to tack the curfew on. You're a mouth, i get to ruin your good time with friends and run you into the station.

+1.

Same thing around here... I only use curfew when I'm looking for a reason to write/arrest someone. If they are cool with us, not causing trouble, and not complicating my life... I typically don't use this violation.