It’s that time of year again.
School is out and kids are looking for activities. But beginning Friday, Kansas City’s summer curfew takes effect.
The city’s website says the summer curfew is enforceable from May 26 to Sept. 24, and there will be an increased police presence.
“We cannot number one let the streets raise our children or babysit our children, so having an opportunity to have safe and fun things for our neighborhoods, our communities, and especially for our youth to do is extremely important,” said Damon Daniel, president of AdHoc.
There is a citywide curfew, which is dependent upon a teenager’s age. There is also a curfew for five entertainment districts: the Country Club Plaza, Westport, Downtown, 18th and Vine and Zona Rosa.
Summer curfew rules:
Citywide curfew:
- 15 years old and younger: 10 p.m.
- 16 and 17 years old: 11 p.m.
Entertainment districts:
- Younger than 18 years old: Accompanied by an adult after 9 p.m.
The goal, according to Daniel, is to keep kids safe and prevent violence.
“We want to reduce the likelihood of them getting involved in unsafe activities or all of what we have seen in past years,” he said.
Back in 2011, Mayor Sly James was eating dinner on the Plaza when shots were fired, injuring three teens. A summer later, cellphone video captured teens jumping on cars and damaging them.
Number of citations issued:
Summer 2016:
- 11 General Curfew Tickets
- 38 Entertainment Curfew Tickets
Summer 2015:
- 31 General Curfew Tickets
- 15 Entertainment Curfew Tickets
“There’s an element that’s trying to do right and there’s an element that’s doing drugs, alcohol, or whatever and that destroys the good,” said Clyde Wirrie, who lives near 18th and Vine, where the summer curfew also applies. “I think we need more programs year-round.”
Teenagers who violate the summer curfew will be detained and parents can be fined up to $500.
Learn more about the curfew and Mayor’s Nights at http://kcmo.gov/curfew/.
