Community Corner
Should Local Governments Impose Juvenile Curfews?
Several cities have juvenile curfews in place, such as one recently passed by the city of Lilburn. Do you support such a curfew or is this the responsibility of parents, not the government?
The city of Lilburn recently updated its ordinances to impose a juvenile curfew. Officials said the intent of the ordinance is to reduce the number of crimes committed by and against minors in the late night/early morning hours.
The hours of the curfew are Sunday - Thursday 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. and Friday and Saturdays from 11:59 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. The Lilburn mayor said the primary intent was for the protection of the juveniles. It gives members of law enforcement a reason to be able to stop and question juveniles who are out beyond the curfew hours.
These curfews are usually imposed on teens and youths under the age of 18 - age 17 or younger and are imposed by municipal authorities as a way to cut down on juvenile crime. Several local municipalities, including Gwinnett County, already have similar curfews in place. Georgia law has a midnight to 5 a.m. curfew for juveniles.
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Do you think keeping juveniles off the streets during these hours is the responsibility of the government or should it be the responsibility of the parents?
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