Posted on 03/10/2023 8:35:14 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. -- What might be a victory for some kids is being seen as an issue for some parents.
Madison's Common Council voted to remove an 11 p.m. curfew for juveniles in the city in a meeting on Feb. 28.
District 15 Alder Grant Foster introduced an ordinance to repeal the current prohibition.
"I felt like there was no good purpose to have it on our books," Foster said. "They're not doing anything wrong. They're not causing any problems just because of their age. If they're standing on a city street on the sidewalk, they're in violation."
Not everyone in the council agreed with the decision, including District 7 Alder Nasra Wehelie.
"Following rules is an important part of the process for kids in their adulthood," Wehelie said. "Creating a safe environment for our youth is our responsibility."
Wehelie also said this decision to change the curfew would impact marginalized communities, which was a factor in her vote.
"We know that marginalized communities, especially black and brown teens, are victimized in the criminal justice system," Wehelie said. "Our youth of color cannot be up and about anytime, as they will be subject to arrest."
At that meeting, Assistant Madison Police Chief John Patterson said they have only given a total of three tickets for curfew violations in the past several years. He explained police don't usually give out these kind of citations, usually because when an officer tells them they're out after curfew and it's time to go home, most do.
At the Feb. 28 meeting, there was a proposal to refer the vote about a curfew to a later date. That failed to pass the council and ultimately, the council voted to repeal the curfew.
Many parents on the popular social networking platform Nextdoor have shared their thoughts on the change since the vote. Like the members of the council, some parents are for the change, while others were against it.
Wehelie said she's heard these similar responses from her constituents as well.
"They're basically saying that means it's free for all," Wehelie said.
Foster hopes the curfew is a responsibility that ultimately falls onto parents to make sure their kids get home.
"Parents have responsibility to take care of their kids, and we don't need to ask the Madison Police Department to do that on our behalf," he said.
Wehelie said depending on support to enact the curfew, it could be brought back to the council to vote and discuss.
Nothing
Good
Happens
After
Midnight...
“Assistant Madison Police Chief John Patterson said they have only given a total of three tickets for curfew violations in the past several years.”
In a SANE WORLD this would mean that the kids are taking the curfew seriously and aren’t out causing problems in the wee small hours!
But, everything is upside down in ‘The People’s Republik of Madistan.’ We’ve got something that WORKS, so let’s fix it!
*Rolleyes*
Madison (WI) and Asheville (NC) are very much alike in that they are both liberal to the extreme.
School age children should be in bed during the school term.
Are there no other laws and regulations that the council could spend it’s time on?
we had a bell next to the fire siren... 10PM
If we weren’t home when the street lights came on, there was h#ll to pay!
You could SEE the panic in all of our faces when one of us realized it was time to be home...and we were playing miles away! Ride your bike at breakneck speed, or break all land-speed records RUNNING home!
When I got my Driver’s License, My Old Man used to charge me a DOLLAR A MINUTE for being late.
Between him and the Army, I am ALWAYS ahead of time no matter WHAT the circumstance. ;)
LOLOL!!!
Ride or Die...
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