We’re all responsible for kids in our community Do your part - follow the curfew law
Would anyone be surprised to learn that our children don’t always exercise the best judgment? This seems to be especially true if they’re out by themselves late at night. As one wise parent once said, “Nothing good ever happens after midnight.” The Minneapolis Juvenile Curfew Ordinance is intended to protect our kids from the risks and dangers that wait for them on the late night streets. Every year across the nation, thousands of children fall victim to crime and exploitation when they’re out at night, and the streets of Minneapolis are no exception. Last year alone, over 3,500 kids were arrested for curfew violations in Minneapolis. Every one of those kids was at increased risk of being injured, exploited or otherwise victimized. Sadly, many others were.
Police reports show that as of June 22 of this year, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., 26 children were victims of violent crime in North Minneapolis, including murder, sexual assault, aggravated assault and robbery. Of the 26 kids who were brutalized, 24 were not at home at the time. Most of them were violating curfew. These numbers show the vital role that curfew plays in protecting our children.
This year, the City of Minneapolis, working with several community partners, has launched an educational campaign to remind parents and children of the curfew ordinance and to encourage everyone to help keep our kids safe. The “10, Home, Fed, Bed” program is based on a pilot project conducted last year by the Folwell Center for Urban Initiatives and the Minneapolis Empowerment Zone. According to the City of Minneapolis website, “The “10 Home, Fed, Bed” campaign will be advertised on billboards, at bus stops, on public transit, in print media, on posters in businesses and youth centers, and through community-based information campaigns. Campaign coordinators were working to get “10 Home, Fed, Bed” curfew materials distributed in Minneapolis public schools before summer vacation began. The project will primarily be funded by the Minneapolis Empowerment Zone and Metro Transit.
In Minneapolis, children under age 12 must be home by 9 p.m. Children 12 to 14 must be home by 10 p.m. and kids from 15 to 17 must be home by 11 p.m. Each of these curfew times are extended by one hour on Friday and Saturday nights. Police will issue tickets to juveniles who are found after these hours in public places or places of business without a parent, guardian or responsible adult. The first ticket is $25, the second is $50 and the third could result in a court date. In addition, officers are instructed to pick up and transport youths to the Curfew/Truancy Center where their case is evaluated and their parents are contacted. The staff at the Curfew/Truancy Center talk to the kids about the danger of being out late, determine if they’re in danger at home, and try to find out why they are violating curfew. Their parents are responsible for picking them up at the Center.
Whether you’re a parent of a juvenile or not, there’s a role for you to play. If you are a parent, be sure that you understand the curfew hours and enforce them with your own kids. Make sure that your kids know when they need to be home, and make sure that they are. You owe it to them. If you don’t know where your kids are after curfew, you need to find out.
If you don’t have kids, you can still help by calling 911 to report suspected curfew violations. If you see kids out late at night and you think that they might be in violation of curfew, call it in. Ask a squad to come and check it out. Tell the 911 operator that they appear to be under age and may be in violation of curfew. Give the operator the best physical description that you can of the child or children. And don’t forget to call 911 back and update them if the situation changes.
The City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department are committed to curbing youth violence, fighting juvenile delinquency and protecting our kids from the many pitfalls that await them on the street. But they can only do that with the help of the whole community. After all, we are all responsible for the children in our community. Each and every one of us has a responsibility to each and every one of them. Please, do your part.