NCJ Number
44563
Journal
Adolescence Volume: 12 Issue: 48 Dated: (WINTER 1977) Pages: 523-528
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF A CURFEW LAW FOR BALTIMORE, MD., ARE CONSIDERED ON THE BASIS OF INTERVIEWS WITH CITY OFFICIALS.
Abstract
BALTIMORE'S CURFEW APPLIES TO PERSONS UNDER AGE 17 WHO ARE ON THE STREETS AFTER MIDNIGHT ON WEEKENDS AND AFTER 11 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS WITHOUT 'GOOD REASON' (E.G., AN ERRAND FOR A PARENT, PARTICIPATION IN AN ORGANIZED COMMUNITY ACTIVITY, OR A JOB). ENFORCEMENT OF THE CURFEW VARIES FROM AREA TO AREA. MANY POLICE OFFICIALS AND PARENTS ARE IN FAVOR OF THE CURFEW. THE CURFEW GIVES POLICE THE AUTHORITY THEY NEED TO APPROACH AND CONFRONT CHILDREN WHO ARE CAUSING SUSPICION. PARENTS WITH LITTLE CONTROL OVER THEIR CHILDREN REGARD THE LAW AS A HELP. IN SHORT, CURFEW IS SEEN AS LIMITING THE TEMPTATION AND OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN TO GET INTO TROUBLE AFTER DARK. ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE CURFEW ARE NUMEROUS. SOME ARGUE THAT THE CURFEW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, IMPRACTICAL, INEFFECTIVE, AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR DEALING WITH THE ISSUE AT HAND. THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE STATISTICAL EVIDENCE OF A CHANGE IN DELINQUENCY IN AREAS UNDER CURFEW. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT CURFEW LAWS WILL NOT BRING ABOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN DELINQUENCY RATES, AND THAT ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES -- YOUTH AND FAMILY COUNSELING SERVICES, REHABILITATIVE FACILITIES, WORK-STUDY PROGRAMS, AND SHELTER AREAS -- MAY BE MORE APPROPRIATE. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.