Miami Florida announces a curfew for teenagers 17 and under. Curfew hours are 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
There are exemptions, such as if the minor is with a parent, or if the teen is traveling to and from work as well as has written permission from a parent or guardian. Emergencies, school, religious or other community events that may run late, is homeless or emancipated are all among the exemptions.
Miami cites "safety" as the reason for enacting the curfew. Apparently the ordinance has been enacted for two decades according to Yahoo News, but efforts to enforce it are going to be enacted. Spring Break is also considered a reason for enforcing the curfew, as Miami police spokesman Willie Moreno tells the Miami Herald, “It’s normally done when kids are out of school, and we’ve done it before ... usually during the summer months,” he said. “That’s when kids tend to stay out later and later.” There was speculation that it was due to recent shootings, however that rumor was quickly denied.
Miami is not the only big city to enact a curfew. It has been reported that since 2000, the number of US cities with curfews increased an estimated 50 per cent to about 500. A list of the most popular cities that also have a curfew is available here.
Some cities say it is to protect youth from violent crimes, while others claim it is to stop youth from committing violent and non-violent crimes. Some adults would agree, and further say that there is nothing out there that teens should be doing during those hours anyway.
How about Houston? Yes, Houston and Harris County do have curfew ordinances. Here is a statement of the law and the exemptions in our area.
Will a curfew curb violence?
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