Meeting Page for public forum; cablecast by MPAC with viewer call-in. Moderator: Geoff Ball, GB&Assoc; Mapper: Fred Lakin, PGC
[click here to see ordinance]
Due to increased youth/gang activity: Addison neighborhood: Restore late night safety
Under 18 curfew 10pm - 6am public drunkenness,
firearms, drug dealing but, note Palo Alto safer --
Original ordinance on books since "Decrease in violent crimes
'53, but vague and considered may spread to other parts of PA last year," Lynne Johnson
unconstitutional
lack of safety for teens late
"Revisions will fix unconstitution- at night
ality," says Lynne Johnson, assist
Chief of Police for PA
.------------------------------------.
"A 17 year-old driving down El Camino | BUT gangs offer: |
at 1am in a law abiding manner will | romance, excitement, place to |
not be stopped." Johnson | go, friends to hang out with |
`------------------------------------'
exceptions in revised ordinance:
traveling to or from school events,
places of business, private parties
curfews are not new -- Youth nitelife in PA: "no place to go - place for teens to go
traditional community tool in Europe, US unless you have plently of money"
- provide alternative to what
"Use curfew to monitor individuals" - skateboard park worked gangs offer
who cause trouble [caller]
Neighborhoods have tried to meet with - program set up by teenagers,
"Curfew is not the answer -- gang members not adults
need a better program to
alleviate gang problem" [caller] - on one occasion no gang members - existing programs:
showed up
try ordinance as proposed for a month, - another occasion, only 2 gang the Y, requires driving
then adjust it members, no parents, one grand <----. may not attract same
parent | youths as gangs do
curfew not enough [caller] |
"Start locking them up" | - word of mouth would work to
Parents' role in curbing gang activity? | promote Teen Center
difficulty of enforcement [caller] -- |
- neighbors reluctant to testify - "More parents' responsibility" | - then "in the vicinity of
- kids will just scatter, then <---. | Teen Center" could be
come out when police leave | - no parents showed up at meeting --' acceptable curfew exception
|
|
BUT neighbors now willing to step |
forward and testify |
| Selective Enforcement "I can't just go for a walk after
defer to police on effectiveness -- | places too much responsibility 10pm -- I would be in violation."
they think it will work, and does | in hands of officers on patrol 17 yr old
not require neighbor involvement ----'
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