SANTA MONICA : City Council Rejects Curfew for Minors
The Santa Monica City Council has rejected a proposed curfew for minors despite testimony from Police Chief James T. Butts that it would be an essential tool against gangs.
Enforcement of a curfew in effect since 1948 was suspended last year after City Atty. Robert M. Myers issued an opinion declaring the law to be unconstitutionally vague.
Police officials said the proposed curfew law, modeled on a Los Angeles ordinance, addressed Myers’ concerns and was consistent with constitutionally unchallenged policies elsewhere. Without a curfew, Butts said, the ability of police to respond to problems caused by juveniles congregating on the pier, the 3rd Street Promenade and elsewhere would be hindered.
But Mayor Pro Tem Judy Abdo, casting the deciding vote against the proposal, said, “We should be enforcing behavior, not status.”
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