Curfew's effect on teen crime questioned

Curfew ordinances have become the norm in American communities, but their impact on crime is still an open question.

In municipalities of more than 15,000 people, more than two-thirds have juvenile curfews on the books. Cape Girardeau is no different. The city enforces a weekday curfew of 11 p.m. and a weekend curfew of midnight for anyone 16 and under.

Scott City has a curfew with the same hour restrictions as Cape Girardeau, but in 2006 only used it to make three arrests, according to state figures. Jackson has no curfew.

The Cape Girardeau police department is a strong proponent of the curfew, saying it gives officers a reason to make first contact with teens loitering in convenience store lots or city parks. This contact, say officers, leads to arrests for other offenses and prevents crime by keeping teens off the streets.

"What is there for a 16-year-old to do at midnight other than get into trouble?" said Cpl. Jason Selzer of the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

"There are times when it's a tacked-on charge, but more probably it's the primary reason for contact. It's like the traffic stop that leads to all the other things. The issue is speeding, but from that you get DWI and no proof of insurance."

But police admit the curfew in Cape Girardeau is not enforced as often as it might be.

In 2006, police issued only 16 citations for curfew violation; eight of those were coupled with other charges. In 2005, the number of citations was 20 with seven of those carrying additional charges. In 2004, police handed out 32 curfew violations, and in 2003 the number was 38.

"It's one of those things that runs in stages," said Sgt. Barry Hovis. "Now is probably a low stage compared with past years, but that may change in the near future."

Selective enforcement

Despite the widespread existence of the law, enforcement is selective across the country. Nationwide, 137,400 juveniles were arrested for curfew or loitering violations in 2004, according to FBI statistics.

While that figure may seem high, it is relatively small when compared to the 1.7 million juveniles arrested for drug violations or the 1.4 million arrested for DWI that same year.

Missouri had 1,585 curfew arrests in 2006, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Cape Girardeau police officers say they are now preparing to ramp up enforcement. Police have noticed curfew violations in several hangouts around town and are planning a "juvenile roundup" where officers patrol those spots after hours and take all those under 17 into custody.

Police say roundups like the one planned are all about keeping youths out of potentially dangerous situations.

"When you have a problem where teenagers are allowed to run in the streets after hours and it is allowed, then it becomes highly likely that those teens are going to become involved in something not appropriate for their age," said Hovis.

Selzer added that the curfew law can be used to enforce noise or disruption complaints even when an officer has no direct evidence of the offense.

"If they're quiet when you arrive, that's another tool I can use. To just say, 'OK, curfew is in 15 minutes. I want to see you all headed home.'"

Curfew violations also help police identify negligent parents. In the case of repeat curfew offenders, a parent may be cited for allowing a minor to violate curfew. But only one such citation was issued in Cape Girardeau in 2006.

Teens disagree

Many teenagers chafe under the restrictions of the curfew. Some enjoying Monday's holiday at West Park Mall said they don't like the laws.

"I think it should be extended," said Mike Sturgeon, 13, a student at Central Junior High School.

Brittney Choate, 13, also of Central Junionr High, agreed. "Yeah, we spend so much time at school and on the weekends we really don't get much more time," she said. "At school they're always telling us to do work, so we should be able to spend our free time how we want to."

Teens mostly rejected the idea that curfew laws decrease crime.

"If they're going to do it, they're going to find time to do it, whether there's a curfew or not," said Macayla Hopple, 13.

Choate, Sturgeon and Hopple said they've been out past curfew at skateparks in the area and don't want to be lumped together with teens who are out breaking laws. "It's not fair for all kids to have to go by one standard because so many kids are different," said Choate.

Other teens say they understand the curfew laws.

"I think it should be at 10 p.m. Kids don't need to be out later than that," said Brandon Huffman, 14, a student at Nell Holcomb School. "Because there's people that like to go get drunk. The curfew keeps some kids out of trouble."

Huffman said a friend of his was picked up for curfew violations and received an added charge of minor in possession of alcohol.

"Yeah, I'm glad he was picked up. He could have killed himself."

So how effective are curfews? One organization says not at all.

In a study of teen crime rates in 12 California counties over a 17-year period, the Center of Juvenile and Criminal Justice found no link whatsoever between curfew restrictions and crime rates.

In fact, an examination of California counties that shifted from lenient to more stringent curfew enforcement during the survey showed quite an opposite effect.

Counties like Fresno, San Diego and Santa Clara all enacted well-publicized curfew crackdowns in the mid-1990s. Each was followed by increased juvenile crime rates in every category. The counties experienced a rise both in raw numbers of crimes committed and numbers relative to adult crime.

Crackdown effectiveness

"The current available data provides no basis to the belief that curfew laws are an effective way for communities to prevent teen crime and keep young people safe. On virtually every measure, no discernable effect on juvenile crime was observed," found the report.

Treating children like criminals may encourage them to act like criminals, according to researchers.

The report calls curfew crackdowns a "panacea" approach to juvenile crime; one that promises to cure all juvenile problems but does little more than shift offenders from the city park to the basement.

The center recommends community services and interventions as a costly but more effective answer to juvenile crime.

Local police officials agree somewhat with this assessment. They point to the minor penalty for curfew violation, the least serious of offenses, and say it is just one tool in crime prevention, not the only tool.

"I've always thought community involvement and intervention is the number one thing because enforcement should always be the last ditch effort when it comes to curfew," said Hovis.

"Of course, there is no substitute for family involvement."

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245