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11:00pm Curfew Round-Up: Good Policy for Bad Parenting
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The citywide curfew is now being enforced for children 17 years or younger found on the streets after 11:00pm weekdays and 12:00am on weekends. A federal grant now makes it possible to officially enforce this program by picking up these children and taking them to Dallas F. Nicolas Sr. Elementary School in Barclay until their parents or legal guardians pick them up. The center is open from midnight until 4:00am on Friday through Sunday until school starts. While the children are waiting for their parents they are fed a boxed lunch, photographed and entered into a database search to check for exisitng probation records and open warrants .
Parents have mixed reviews about the process.
Many parents feel that it is unnessary for the police to pick up children who are playing near their home even if it is close to midnight. They feel that their children are at home, playing and safe.
Others feel that the government should not take on this babysiting service for children and that it is the parents responsibilty to watch their children.
Which side of the fence do you sit? Should the government have to assume the responsibility when parents are not stepping up to the plate and parenting?
In my opinion, the reason for reintroducing this curfew program is to make our streets safer for both the children and to prevent unnessary crimes that results when children have too much freedom. I think that children under the ages of 17 should be accounted for and parents should know where they are. When I was younger I was allowed to visit friends as a teenager but my parents always knew where I was or another parent was accountable for me. If parents are not willing to take on the responsbilty of parenthood then government has the right to intervene.
Weigh in. Is the government doing too much here or is this necessary intervention to protect children and prevent more city crime?
Live fully,
Mia
www.findingdefinitions.com
