Teenage Curfews

 Some may say that teenage curfews are not important but, I beg to differ. Curfew laws keep minors inside

during specific hours of the day which helps society tremendously, in many different ways. Before the law was

made, Stuart Florida incidents went from 41 juvenile related incidents, to a mere 21!    

   Furthermore, since the curfew laws were enacted, juvenile related crime in the downtown areas of Stuart 

have been reduced by 12%! Minors being out on the streets during curfew hours, exposes them to things that 

could get them into trouble. Things like drugs, and drinking lead to trouble, especially without proper 

adult supervision!  Lack of adult supervision could lead to putting themselfs in danger and people around 

that individual in possible life threatening danger.

   As a result to supressing the late night activites of minors, it has significantly helped out our local 

police officers. “Fort Pierce Florida Police Chief Sean Baldwin, says the evidence that his city’s teen 

curfew works is that his officers have barely had to enforce curfew this year.” With this in mind, on duty

police officers will not have to focus on minors during curfew hours and can sharpen their focus on the higher

priotry crimes. As of January 1st, 2011, it has been reported that crimes like burglery, theft, robbery and

battery have declined sigificantly. 

   Also, before the law was set to keep minors under the age of 18 inside after specific hours of the night, 

parents did not have a reason to keep their children inside during the night. Now, since the Curfew law has

been set in more than 200 towns, parents have a real reason to stop their child from going outside after late

hours. Parents are now held accountable for their children.  If their children are caught out after 

established curfew hours, they must explain themselves in a court of law!  In Riviera Beach, 

juveniles were killed or wounded in nighttime shootings between 2000 and 2007. The city did not provide 

statistics on the performance of its curfew, but Police Chief Masters said that since it took effect, “no 

juveniles have been killed late at night.” 

  Subsequently, I feel that the curfew laws need to be set. The reason being that there is a tremendous 

possibility of life threatening danger during late night hours, like shootings. Curfew laws have also not

only kept minors safe, but it has also supported police officers with focusing on other major crimes. Curfew

lets people know that kids are inside during late night hours, safe from potential danger.