Home

Join

Main Menu



blog advertising is good for you
Powered by Disqus

Links

Like IB

«
»

Time for Tougher Curfew Laws?

Under current city of Indianapolis curfew laws, it is perfectly fine for a 15-year old to be running the streets at midnight on a Friday or Saturday.  Somehow, that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

As the summer gets into full swing and we see and read more reports of juveniles getting in trouble and committing crimes, I think it is definitely time to take another look at our curfew laws.

Currently, under city code, kids ages 14 and under have a curfew of 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays.  For ages 15-17 that curfew is 1 a.m.   Under Indiana state law, curfew is between 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. for any child under age 15 any day of the week.  And for ages 15-17, the curfew is after 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 1 a.m. on the weekends.

There are some exceptions to the curfew law such as a minor who is working, married, participating in a religious activity, or is with a guardian.

However, most of the times when curfew is violated, none of those factors are in play.  I don’t think a gang of 15-year old kids roaming the canal area or some other part of downtown at midnight are on their way to late night Bible study.

State law gives local governments the authority to move curfew up by two hours.  So Indianapolis could extend its curfew for kids ages 14 and under to 9 p.m., which would suit me just fine.  And for those juveniles who may be up to no good, but with an adult, I say we use the statues to hold those adults accountable as well for the actions of the minors.  And I have no qualms about charging a parent with criminal neglect if their urchin continues to break the law and the parent takes no reasonable steps to stop that behavior.

I have a hard time seeing any logical valid reason why a 13-year old should be running the streets, unsupervised, after 9 p.m.  As my grandmother would say, “there ain’t nothing going late at night but the devil making his mischief.”  I am not a very religious person, but I have always agreed with the general sentiment behind that statement.

My father had a simple rule for me and my brothers, when the streetlights come on, you come in.  I know a lot of these kids don’t have responsible fathers, but when we let roam the streets unsupervised, nothing good can come of any of this.  And yes, I know this won’t solve all of the city’s crime problems, but if we can’t go after the small stuff, how do we tackle the big stuff?

 

Posted: 07|9|12 at 8:13 am by Abdul Hakim-Shabazz
Follow this entry via RSS 2.0. Comment | Trackback

  • Paul Wheeler

    What about midnight basketball?

  • Rico

    I could agree with 10 during the summer months. It’s still light out at 9. I’m assuming curfews could be seasonally adjusted.

  • Ramon

    The police don’t enforce the current curfew.  Why establish a tougher one for them to ignore?

  • http://twitter.com/ParsonsPolitics James Parsons

    Im more interested in how you were able to interview Vop Osili.I thought that the Democrats had a no contact rule with you

  • Indy4U2C

    I think the problem is the current law is unenforceable.  The legislature needs to rewrite the curfew law to allow police to take curfew violators off the streets immeditely upon contact.

  • http://twitter.com/IndyStudent Matthew Stone

    Vop is a rising star among Democrats and he’s trying to branch out on his own. 

  • http://twitter.com/IndyStudent Matthew Stone

    I think Rico makes a good point in that 10pm is a better curfew time during the summer, and adjusting it as the days get longer or shorter or whatnot. I see no problem with a group of kids riding their bikes to the neighborhood park a couple blocks from their home. Parks close at dark. So should the curfew.

    I’m also interested in how a minor proves they’re on their way to work or a faith based activity or whatever the other exemptions are. What is the process an LEO would follow to determine this? Is it detailed in the city ordinance or state statute? Or is it left up to an individual LEO’s judgement or individual LEO agencies? Would Speedway’s PD have a different standard than IMPD?

    If the law provides a detailed, step by step process for how law enforcement conduct that determination, and what proof minors need to meet those exemptions,that would be best. Leaving it

  • Joe

    “There are some exceptions to the curfew law such as a minor who is
    working, married, participating in a religious activity, or is with a
    guardian.”

    I think the curfew law will never stand up in court.  One exception is:
    “(E) an activity involving the exercise of the child’s rights
    protected under the First Amendment to the United States
    Constitution or Article 1, Section 31 of the Constitution of
    the State of Indiana, or both, such as freedom of speech and
    the right of assembly;”Won’t the ACLU just argue that a group of 15 year old young adults have a right to assemble on the canal if they choose?

  • Abdul

    It’s been upheld.

  • http://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/ sandra

    If the law provides a specific, comprehensive procedure for how police officers perform that perseverance, and what evidence those under 18 need to satisfy those exceptions,that would be best. Making it. Then again, it is a very sleek common presently. But someone will have to come into energy once the Bayh Empire holdovers at the condition stage, and Treacy at the nation stage, give up their management. The only concern is who will come in and get it.

  • Indy4U2C

    …been hitting “the sauce,” Sandra?

  • Randy Moodispaugh

    Just make’m care the old hall pass or note from Mommy,

    Dear LEO,

    Please excuse my little darlings truancy and or curfew violation as he is off to school, work, and or church functions.

    Signed,

    Epstien’s Mom

  • Brandon

    This must be one of the most frightening, senseless and quite frankly absurd arguments I have ever seen written. Taking away a individual’s right to be outside is like taking away the right to breath. This planet is shared by 6 billion people and we have all have the right to walk outside on it. This may not be in the constitution but its is a natural right. You shouldn’t be arrested for taking a walk outside of your home no matter what age you are. This is like the science fiction novel 1984. You can’t just trap people in their homes and arrest them if they try to leave. It doesn’t matter how old they are. This is denying everything our country stands for; rights, justice, and freedom. This is supporting discrimination against all minors based on the actions of a few. I’m sure studies show that African-Americans are responsible for a larger percentage of crimes but does that mean we should place every black man, woman and child under house arrest? Curfew laws are an infringement on the natural rights of the people of America and contradict the ideals of equality, justice and liberty that our country has always held.