Why lowering the Curfew Time is a Not Such A Good Idea

Thanks to Tariq Pasha and the Steering Committee of the Dane County Youth Resource Network for the following information and analysis. Could Madison end up with the strictest curfew in Dane County for youth over 16?

I’d recommend: Voting against! See Dorothy Borchardt’s recommendation (in agreement) below.

Another perspective on this is here.

THE FACTS IN DANE COUNTY
For curfew for people under the OVER the age of 16:

Out of 17 municipalities

10 – have no curfew for youth over age 16 (Town of Madison, Stoughton, Verona, Cambridge, Sun Prarie, Blooming Grove , Shorewood, Oregon, Deforest & Waunakee)

Of the 7 remaining

Curfew for youth over age 16 is 11 p.m. or later on weekdays and 12 a.m. or on weekends (or later) (City of Madison, Cross Plains, Monona, Mt. Horab, Mcfarland, Fitchberg, Middleton)

None of the 17 municipalities has a curfew as early as the proposed change to the curfew in the City of Madison for youth 16 yrs +

For those UNDER 16:
Out of 17 municipalities

2 – have 11 p.m weekday and 12 a.m. weekend (City of Madison & Fitchburg)
5 – have 10 p.m. weekday and 11 p.m. weekend (Middleton, Mt. Horab, Stoughton, and Monona)
2 – have 11 p.m. all 7 days (Cambridge and Waunakee)
4 – 10 p.m. all 7 days (Town of Madison, McFarland, Oregon & Deforest)
2 – 12 a.m. all 7 days (Verona & Shorewood)
1 – 10 p.m. weekday and midnight weekend (Sun Prarie)
1 – no curfew (Blooming Grove)

7 of the 17 currently have no curfew or a later curfew than the proposed change to the curfew in the City of Madison for youth under 16 years

CONCERNS REGARDING PROPOSED CURFEW ORDINANCE
(From Mary O’Donnell from the City of Madison Office of Community Services)

The following is a summary of concerns regarding the proposed change in the time of curfew for juveniles under age 16 in the City of Madison. Sources include: background documents and public comments provided at meetings of the Community Services Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission, Dane County Youth Resource Network discussions, and input from parents, youth and youth service providers

No evidence or validated reasoning to support a change
– No local data on increased police calls, disturbances, youth being victimized
– Data shows the problems w/ curfew violations are much later at night
– Reasons given for the need for the change (i.e. noise, trespassing, disturbing the peace etc.) are covered through other laws
– Most curfew tickets are given in conjunction with the above violations

Ineffective as policing tool
– Review of major research indicates that there is either no effect or that they are unable to document the effect of curfew on juvenile crime or victimization. Some communities have claimed an impact but none have data that has been validated through further examination.
– No evidence from any study that curfew impacts “quality of life”

Change will place Madison curfew in conflict with countywide legislation and many other municipalities in Dane Co.
– Curfew in Dane Co. is 10 p.m. for youth under 15 yrs Sunday – Thursday this could cover ~40 municipalities that do not have their own curfew and all other unincorporated areas of the County
– Nine municipalities have curfews that would be out of sync with the new Madison curfew either by age requirements or the curfew time. These include several communities that share borders with Madison (Middleton, Verona, Fitchburg, Maple Bluff and Blooming Grove)

Many youth can legally be out beyond the proposed curfew because many school athletic and arts activities end at 10 p.m. or later.
– All of these youth would be subject to proving their age and the reason that they are not home.
– Youth, especially those who don’t yet drive, do not carry proof of age.
– How will police determine validity of a youth’s reason for being out?

Potential to increase the disproportionate contact between law enforcement and justice system with youth of color
– Currently high disproportionate minority contact with curfew citations.
– Policy change is primarily being pushed by neighborhood that has recently undergone significant racial demographic changes.

Potential to increase the contact between law enforcement and the justice system with low-income youth
– Only low-income neighborhoods in Madison have neighborhood officers and these neighborhoods also have increased patrol presence.
– Youth driving cars may be less likely to be contacted solely for a curfew violation versus youth on foot.
– This interaction may build mistrust between youth and law enforcement.

Respectfully submitted – Mary O’Donnell, Youth Services Coordinator

If that didn’t convince you, read this about curfew from . . . Dorothy Borchardt!

It should be uniform. Kids move around and can’t be expected to know the different curfews. I understand that it is a tool to get kids, fifteen and under, off the streets in at risk neighborhoods but it should be uniform through out the county. Work with our county supervisors and support a curfew change the right way.
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