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Jun 5, 2009 5:56 pm US/Central
Metro Suburbs Crack Down On Curfew
(WCCO)
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There are some exceptions when it's OK to be out after curfew without an adult -- going to or from work or an organized school, religious, or recreational activity, or if there's an emergency.
WJZ
School is out for the summer and that can mean more time for kids to get in trouble. It's been a big problem for two northwest metro cities, but police have found a way to help keep the peace.
"It's mostly parties -- parties don't end until 1 a.m.," said 16 year-old Mustapha Sanneh.
Kids hanging out during the day are no big deal, but at night, cops know chances increase for kids to commit crimes or become victims.
"I think it's good (it can) keep people off the streets -- not getting shot and killed," said Lisa Thao, a junior at Park Center High School.
In Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, police are getting ready to clamp down on curfew again. The cities worked together last year for a series of curfew sweeps. Officers were dedicated to curfew enforcement and took offenders into a curfew center at Zanewood Recreation Center.
Both cities plan more sweeps this summer, though they departments will be working independently.
"It's been tremendously successful, our crime rate has dropped significantly in the last two years. And we really think, from the police standpoint, that has been attributed to some of our curfew sweeps that we have done over the last two years," explained Lt. Todd Milburn, of Brooklyn Park Police.
In Hennepin County, anyone younger than 12 has to be in by 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Children ages 12- to 14-years-old must be in by 11 p.m.
The curfew for 15- to 17-year-olds is midnight during the weekend. The curfews are one hour earlier on the other nights of the week.
There are some exceptions when it's OK to be out after curfew without an adult. If the underage person is going to or from work or an organized school, religious, or recreational activity, or if there's an emergency, but officers will be checking out those excuses.
Commander Mike Reynolds of the Brooklyn Center Police Department said officers will not just take the kid's word.
"Our officers though will dig deeper into it and to make sure that they are telling the truth -- whether it's verifying it with their parents or looking at a receipt if they are coming from an event."
Officers know the strategy works. Violent crimes like robbery and assault have dropped since departments have beefed up curfew enforcement. Total violent crimes in Brooklyn Center decreased by 8 percent last year and 11 percent so far this year.
Kids are getting the message too.
"I don't' really think it's a big deal, but I just follow it because there's really no point in getting in trouble," said 16-year-old Tamnnet Kidanu.
The City of Brooklyn Park is planning curfew sweeps on weeknights and weekends this summer.
They'll fine kids who are caught out late and they have to be picked up by their parents.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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