A stricter curfew for juveniles proposed (Houston)

[Paladin]

I have to seriously question that this will make a difference in Houston's crime rate.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hea ... 42331.html

"March 23, 2006, 1:01AM
A stricter curfew for juveniles proposed


By ROBERT CROWE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Hoping to curb a recent spike in crime among Houston-area youth, Mayor Bill White's office has proposed a stricter juvenile curfew law that would make it illegal for children under the age of 17 to be on the streets after 10 p.m. on most nights.

Although White's office told council members at a public safety meeting Wednesday that a recent poll shows the community would support the new law, some leaders balked at the proposal, requesting more time to talk to parents and children before considering the change.

White's proposal bumps up by two hours the current requirement, changing the nighttime curfew to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday for anyone 16 years old and younger.

Under the current law, it's illegal for youths 17 and younger to be in a public place between midnight and 6 a.m. any day of the week, and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays.

White's office said a recent increase in crime by youths warrants a stricter law. Besides, they said, police reports show that it's during the late-night hours that most kids get into the most trouble.

Councilman Adrian Garcia, chairman of the public safety committee, said juveniles account for 8 percent of all violent crime in Houston.

"This gives officers another tool to use," Assistant Police Chief M.W. Thaler told council members Wednesday at the panel's meeting.

Thaler said police have become concerned about an increase in gang activity, a 73 percent jump in graffiti between 2004 and 2005, and numerous complaints about large gatherings of juveniles in parking lots and parks at night.

Thaler said juvenile arrests peak in the hours immediately after school lets out, then spike again between 10 p.m and midnight.

Thaler said 30 to 50 percent of crime by juveniles is committed at night.

A recent poll by the mayor found that 90 percent of the Houston community would support a stricter curfew, he said. The curfew measure had an 80 percent approval rating in the Kingwood and Clear Lake areas.

Councilwoman Addie Wiseman said she would like to see more information about the polls conducted by White's office before seriously considering the data.

Frank Michel, a spokesman for White, later told the Houston Chronicle that questions about a stricter curfew were included in a private poll the mayor conducted in recent months. He said the mayor would not make the details of the poll available.

"We have heard positive feedback from the community, but we still want to hear what people have to say about it," Michel said.

"On other hand, we want to act quickly to help officers get the tools they need to fight crime," he said.

Councilwoman Toni Lawrence said she worries that a stricter curfew would strain the Police Department, and make every teen out after 10 p.m. a potential crime suspect.

Similar concerns were expressed by Jim Murphy as he and his family bought movie tickets at the Edwards Marquee in northwest Houston late Wednesday.

After hearing about the proposed new law, Murphy said he didn't want the city of Houston telling him when his 13-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter should be off the streets.

"I think the government ought to stay out of other people's business," Murphy said.

Liz Pipkin, the mother of five children who range in age from 16 to 12, wasn't so bothered after hearing the city wanted to impose stricter curfew rules. She has set an 11 p.m. curfew for her 16-year-old son, who she says is usually home by 10 p.m.

"I don't think it will affect my kids that much," said Pipkin, who brought her 11-year-old daughter to see a movie. "I don't think it will really bother me. And in fact, (it may) help me by saying there's a 10 o'clock curfew."

But at the Wednesday meeting, Councilwoman Ada Edwards said she wanted to hear what teens had to say about the issue before the council votes on it, especially since teens account for a small amount of crime overall.

"If this is about stopping crime, why don't we have a curfew for adults?" Edwards said.

Wednesday's meeting was the first in what the mayor's office said would be several public forums to discuss revising curfew rules.

The mayor's office said it planned to hold more meetings in the future before presenting an ordinance to the council.

Chronicle reporter Armando Villafranca contributed to this report.

robert.crowe@chron.com"

[Kalrog]

I have serious questions and constitutional issues with curfews in general - even if they are "only" for minors.

[gigag04]

Thaler said 30 to 50 percent of crime by juveniles is committed at night.

Great statistic...very thorough...

[Kalrog]

Did you hear about the company that decided to investigate every instance of someone calling in sick on a Friday or a Monday because 40% of the sick calls were coming in on those days?








For those who are mathmatically challenged - those two days also represent 40% of the work week so it would be expected that it would be 40% of the sick days as well.

[KBCraig]

Yeah, that was a Dilbert cartoon.

We have some shifts that are 4x10. It drives management insane when 50% of sick days are in conjunction with days off, and they're even angrier when you point out the math.

Kevin

[Boma]

I don't mind this curfew at all. I have been to the movies and have found it to be completely swarmed with 12-17 year old girls that dress like ho's and a bunch of wannabe gang bangers.

I come out after midnight only to be surrounded by the same guys.

I have been personally surrounded by atleast 8 of them and they wanted to beat us up. (long story, wasn't our fault) I got shoved by fat 14 year old kid.
Luckily they ran when adults started circling us and was looking at what was going on.

[RPBrown]

Irving has tried a curfew (not sure if it's still in effect) that didn't drop the crime. Seems as the only kids getting caught were basically good kids that were out late with good to fair excuses. The ones doing the crimes were not getting caught.

Example: a freind of mine had to catch a late flight. His son took him to the airport and was stopped on the way home. They took him in and since his dad was on a plane, they called his grandparents at midnight. The only thing they would tell the grandparents was they needed to come to the jail to get him. Scared them badly.

The dad was fined. He did go to court and won the case. But because his son was doing him a favor, he had to take off work to go to court. He even had to produce the plane ticket to win.

[KBCraig]

I don't mind this curfew at all. I have been to the movies and have found it to be completely swarmed with 12-17 year old girls that dress like ho's and a bunch of wannabe gang bangers.

Then don't go to the movies, and be sure to tell the theater owners why.

What else don't you mind being outlawed? How far down the "reasonable restrictions" road would you have to go before meeting Sarah Brady, coming at you from the other way?

Kevin

[one eyed fatman]

Those kids aren't there for the movie. They just need a good place to have sex. Cut em some slack.

[Paladin]

Seems as the only kids getting caught were basically good kids that were out late with good to fair excuses. The ones doing the crimes were not getting caught.

When I was in High School, Wilmer cops once hassled me about the whole curfew thing. I was taking night classes at a community college... and they really had an attitude about me being out late.

Ever since then I've been against curfews.