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201 <br /> <br /> Ms. Kim Phan, Riverdale Drive, said that a curfew is condescending and insults the <br />intelligence of parents and children. Ms. Phan said a curfew will not stop those who are <br />planning to conunit a crime. <br /> <br /> Ms. Sharon Summerville, Birdwood Court, said the curfew is designed to address those <br />who have demonstrated irresponsible behavior. <br /> <br /> Ms. Patricia Wolford questioned the difference between parents restricting kids and the <br />curfew. <br /> <br />As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked what would happen during Prom night and First Night Virginia, and <br />ChiefWolford said such circumstances could be built into the ordinance. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, ChiefWolford said that determining a <br />youth's age is a concern as many do not carry identification. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked questions about increaSes in juvenile crime over the past five to six <br />year and whether crimes rates are higher at night, and Chief Wolford said he will put together <br />information on these questions. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked if other communities with curfews have seen positive impacts, and <br />ChiefWolford said that based on what he has read, much of the positive impact has to do <br />with the community's commitment to fight youth crime. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Daugherty, ChiefWolford said that the judge has <br />indicated that he feels the proposed ordinance is constitutional. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox expressed concern about the selective enforcement issue and the targeting of <br />certain neighborhoods. <br /> <br /> Chief Wolford said that the ordinance will need to be monitored, and the goal is to <br />enforce the ordinance equally. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she understands that the low-income neighborhoods have been <br />asking for the curfew, but she is concerned about the broad-brush approach, while at the <br />same time realizing that a tool is needed to intervene with children who are outside late at <br />night creating noise. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said it seems that it would be far more effective to develop programs for small <br />groups that are causing problems rather than penalizing all youth. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter noted that Council has made youth initiatives a priority over the past <br />years and the City has offered a variety of youth programs, and said that she has been <br />concerned with very young children on the street late at night. <br /> <br /> ChiefWolford said young children out late is an increasing problem, and noted that <br />parents can be charged with neglect in those circumstances. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked to be provided with statistical data that shows that juvenile crime has <br />been reduced in other cities with a curfew, including number of youth charged, their gender, <br />age and race. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards expressed concern about the resistance of police officers to arrest youth <br />because no action is taken against them in juvenile court. <br /> <br /> ChiefWolford said that case load problems and the location of the juvenile detention <br />home contribute to this situation. <br /> <br /> <br />