Public hearings to be held on juvenile curfew ordinance

The City will hold public hearings in December and January to hear resident’s opinions and concerns about renewal of the Dallas juvenile curfew ordinance which expired last May. After the hearings, the City Council will decide whether to reinstate the ordinance that provides day and nighttime curfews for youth under age 17.

Since adoption of the daytime curfew hours in 2009, juvenile property crime arrests are down 26 percent and arrests for juvenile violent crimes have dropped 13 percent.

“The goal of the curfew ordinance was to engage and change the behavior of juveniles in a positive manner,” said Dallas Police Department Deputy Chief Robert Sherwin. “This system works for juveniles. The curfew has given officers a reason to come into contact with youth and has helped decrease the number of juvenile victims and suspects.”

Under the ordinance, curfew hours are 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays when school is in session and from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday night. Weekend hours are midnight to 6 a.m. Violation of the ordinance is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine and/or dismissal of the charge upon completion of a day-long skills class.

Exceptions to the ordinance include provisions for excused school absences, emergencies, being accompanied by a parent or guardian, employment or attending official school, religious or recreational activities supervised by adults.