Mar 22, 2008 10:20 pm US/Central
Chicagoans Prep For New Curfew Hours This Weekend
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
It's 10 p.m., do you know where your children are? The City of Chicago certainly hopes so.
In a move to curb teen violence and save lives, the city moved its curfew up an extra 30 minutes.
The change goes into effect Saturday evening and as you can imagine, there are lots of opinions about whether or not it will work.
Citing the deaths of 34 Chicago Public School students last year, and the 20+ deaths of CPS students so far this school year, city leaders and Chicago Police this week, announced an earlier curfew for Chicago minors.
"It is a preventative measure to ensure that our kids are safe," said Vance Henry, director of CAPS. "That they're at home and not subject to the violence that happens so often in our neighborhoods."
Officers lining up for roll call Saturday throughout the city were reminded to be on the lookout for minors violating the new hours, which require minors under 17 to be off the streets by 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, and by 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.
Some teens say curfew's unfair.
"It's kind of like taking away our freedom," said 13-year-old Haley Garcia.
"I feel they should give us more time because you know there are certain things you've got to do out there," said 17-year-old Latray Hart.
But other teens and many parents say they think an earlier curfew could be the solution to some of the teen violence we've seen in recent months.
"I'm concerned about that, cause other people will be killed out here, just like little kids playing and drive-by's be happening that aint cool," said 15-year-old Larry Parks.
"If they get them all in maybe it'll help solve some of the crime going on after 10 o'clock, or that's in broad daylight at our schools," said parent Debra Bell.
School officials are applauding the city's efforts to fight teen violence.
"What the Mayor has shown, what the Superintendent has shown is that they have the courage to say to everyone 'we need to have our children safe,'" said Rufus Williams, president of the Board of the Education. "We will take the measures we can to do that."
Minors who are caught violating the curfew will be issued a citation which could result in a fine of up to $100.
There are some exceptions to the curfew -- they include emergencies and church functions.
So far this year, more than 3,000 curfew violation citations have been issued.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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