How Teen Curfews Keep Teens out of Trouble

Photo courtesy of Sachsecnews.com

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks implemented a 30-day curfew in September of 2022 due to 24 homicides in August. The curfew barred children 16 and younger from being out without parental supervision from 10pm-5am on Sunday through Thursday, and 11:59 pm to 5 am on Friday through Saturday. 

According to the Prince George’s County code, enforcement begins with a warning from police. An officer notifies teens and children who are found outside after curfew that they are violating the law  and requests their name, address, phone number and parents’ contact information. 

Teen curfews are beneficial because they keep teens out of trouble and prevent them from getting into bad habits like drinking, smoking, loitering, and using drugs. Places of business don’t appreciate teens coming in and being obnoxious, causing disarray, and not paying for any items.

Vandalism and crime  committed by a certain group of young people force politicians to enforce curfews. Teens get into a lot of trouble because they want to flaunt stolen goods. They like to show that they can commit theft without getting caught by the police or security guards. Teens face a lot of peer pressure to steal, which gets them in trouble. 

 There has been a rise of crime among teens for car robbery by breaking windows and store robberies.Curfews help lower crime because they deter children under 18 from trying to burglarize homes, cars, and stores. Young people know the police are looking for youth who disobey the curfew. For example, when New Orleans enabled a dusk-till-dawn curfew in 1994, the rates of juvenile crime were reported to fall more than 20 percent. When teens and or other young people under 18 steal from stores, they are put on a record, and won’t be able to come into the store again, or without an adult. This is hard for parents because they can’t just send their child to the store to run an errand.

Many people believe curfews are ineffective, but they help reduce crime and keep teens out of trouble. Curfews help prevent juveniles from going to jail at such a young age. Many Black children that are caught stealing are punished more than whites because of racial discrimination. Racial discrimination is any discrimination against any individual on the basis of their skin color, race or ethnic origin.  Youth of color are more prone to being arrested or caught by the police for petty crimes because of the stereotype that people of color are naturally malevolent. That’s why it’s especially important to keep them safe and out of trouble. 

Prince George’s County needs to reinstitute curfews so that youth can stay out of the streets and not get caught up in unnecessary negative lifestyles. Business owners don’t tolerate youth being disrespectful and acting out in the store when they laugh, get mad, or have other emotions. This irritates other customers who are actually shopping. This is why curfews are useful to keep teens from lollygagging in stores at night when they should be in bed or studying. 

Prince George’s County and D.C. curfews also increase the probability of youth getting better entry-level jobs during or after high school. If they obey the curfew, they are least likely to be affected by negative influences in the forms of groups or activities that get young people in trouble. Youth under 18 may not have a record if they obey the curfew and avoid negative lifestyles. They can have a better life and won’t have to struggle because they can get better jobs as an adult.