Crime and Teenage Curfew Laws
Summary: The enacting of teenage curfew laws in American cities such as Dallas, Texas is a good idea. Such laws can decrease the juvenile crime rate and provide an opportunity for teens who are at risk to become delinquents to receive needed help.
Over the past several years,
One reason I believe that teenager curfew laws should be effective in many communities is because of the high rate of juvenile crime. If there are fewer teens in the street there will be fewer crimes will be committed by and against juveniles. Although a nationwide study has never been conducted on curfews' effectiveness in reducing juvenile crime, cities that enforced them have reported a decline in the rate of juvenile crime rates. In Dallas, Texas where a curfew for youths under age 17 took effect in May 1994, police reports show violent crime by juveniles has decreased by 30.3% and overall juvenile crime has decreased by 20.7% (Teen Curfews). In December of 1997, according to the time line Milestones in teen curfews in the United States, the National Council of Mayors concluded that cities that impose youth curfews experienced a significant decrease in juvenile crimes.
Another reason I believe it will be beneficial to have a curfew is because these curfews provide an opportunity for teens who are at risk for becoming delinquents to get needed help. Gregory Bodenhamer says curfew laws are "one of the most dependable, least intrusive methods to identify and help children neglectful and chaotic families that produce most of the nation's young criminals." Law-enforcement officials say this about curfew laws; they are a straight forward practice and enforceable way to fight juvenile crime. They also say that any infringements on juvenile liberty will be outweighed by the safety benefits of curfews will bring.
These are just several reasons I believe enacting a curfew will be very beneficial for youth Americans. We can use cities such as Dallas, Texas as a example of how when a youth
Over the past several years,
One reason I believe that teenager curfew laws should be effective in many communities is because of the high rate of juvenile crime. If there are fewer teens in the street there will be fewer crimes will be committed by and against juveniles. Although a nationwide study has never been conducted on curfews' effectiveness in reducing juvenile crime, cities that enforced them have reported a decline in the rate of juvenile crime rates. In Dallas, Texas where a curfew for youths under age 17 took effect in May 1994, police reports show violent crime by juveniles has decreased by 30.3% and overall juvenile crime has decreased by 20.7% (Teen Curfews). In December of 1997, according to the time line Milestones in teen curfews in the United States, the National Council of Mayors concluded that cities that impose youth curfews experienced a significant decrease in juvenile crimes.
Another reason I believe it will be beneficial to have a curfew is because these curfews provide an opportunity for teens who are at risk for becoming delinquents to get needed help. Gregory Bodenhamer says curfew laws are "one of the most dependable, least intrusive methods to identify and help children neglectful and chaotic families that produce most of the nation's young criminals." Law-enforcement officials say this about curfew laws; they are a straight forward practice and enforceable way to fight juvenile crime. They also say that any infringements on juvenile liberty will be outweighed by the safety benefits of curfews will bring.
These are just several reasons I believe enacting a curfew will be very beneficial for youth Americans. We can use cities such as Dallas, Texas as a example of how when a youth