Carjacked councilman proposes curfews
July 30, 2009 at 5:53 pm by Scott Henry in NewsCouncilman Ceasar Mitchell, who was carjacked at gunpoint over the weekend, has revived a piece of legislation he proposed last year that would set a daytime curfew for children between the ages of 6 and 16.
Now, before everyone piles on with snide comments, as happened with an earlier blog post, allow me to note that this is not Mitchell’s sole answer to the apparently growing teen crime wave (I inaccurately used the word “antidote”). He has also pushed for more foot patrols — as opposed to cops simply driving around — and more resourses for the Red Dog squad.
But here’s his description of his curfew proposal, fresh from the press release:
“This ordinance will hold parents or guardians of minors accountable for their children who go unsupervised during certain hours on school days, said Mitchell. ”Before, above, and beyond teachers, principals, and the police, the primary responsibility to direct, discipline, and monitor a minor rests with that minor’s parent or guardian. Therefore, it is not too much to ask for a parent to be involved in and ultimately responsible for the whereabouts of their child during school hours.”
He calls the measure “a good step in the right direction,” not the answer to the city’s crime problem.
We’ll have to wait to see if his colleagues agree. The Council is on summer reccess and next meets Aug. 17.
July 31st, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Where is the proposal for more services and programs for these kids? Their situations at home are getting worse, so they are out there robbing to survive. Should calm down once school starts anyway.
August 13th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Why does some city funded center have to entertain and raise your children? Criminal behavior to survive is an excuse by adults who choose not to put the energy into raising responsible citizens. Not to be harsh but why have them and keep them if you can’t raise them to behave in society.
I wish adults would quit making excuses for these kids—your just making their future worthless. These kids have a choice they are not man enough to make the right one…car jack or help clean my community? Shoot someone over an ipod or get a job? Act like a bafoon or respect others? Bust a cap in someone’s ass or go to church or library? Buy rims or invest in education?
I grew up with no money and no recreation center but the library was always open. That is where I spent my summers.
I’m just saying constantly making excuses for these young men let’s them continue in a life of crime which will lead to an early death. Then after their violent death ask why? Why him?