Youth / OPINION : Curfew Enforcement: ‘The Issue Is Safety’

On Friday, Inglewood will begin stricter enforcement of curfew for the city’s 8,000 youths under age 18. It will apply to teens out after 10 p.m. on weeknights, 11 p.m. on weekends, who are not accompanied by an adult , on errands for their parents or returning home from a job, educational or recreational activity. Curfew-breakers will be detained in the lobby of the police station, where they will be fingerprinted and supervised by trained volunteers until parents arrive. Here’s what some Inglewood students think of the plan.

ALICIA WILLIAMS

Junior, St. Mary’s Academy

I feel that the curfew is a good idea to reduce crime. It may also assist those parents who are having a difficult time disciplining their children. Maybe teen-agers who don’t listen to their parents may listen to the law, especially if there is a penalty. In time, repeat offenders may catch on.

DAWED EWELL

Sophomore, Inglewood High School

What really upsets me about the curfew is that it sends out the wrong message--that a predominantly African American- and Latino-populated city can’t conduct itself properly so its youths need to be put on an 8-inch leash.

IRMA FRANCO

Senior, Morningside High School

Some people say that the curfew is a violation of their rights; others say it is enslavement. But I think they are just making up excuses. After all, there is no reason for hanging out on a corner with friends. The curfew does not prohibit friends from talking indoors.

BRANDON BAKER

Seventh grader, Crozier Middle School

The curfew is good because it might prevent a lot of drive-bys and other forms of violence. Some kids say that the curfew takes away their freedom, but I don’t think so. The issue isn’t freedom, it’s safety.

GREGORY FREEMAN

Senior, Inglewood High

I am apathetic about the curfew. Whether I like the curfew or not, it will still go into effect. But I am not going to adjust my lifestyle for it.

Don’t get me wrong. I am no incorrigible. Far from it. I am a member of a home where high moral, ethical and religious values are constantly stressed. I am valedictorian of my class. But I have been taught to think for myself. I strongly feel that this curfew violates my freedom. Who, except my parents, should say when I have to be inside? And what do the politicians really gain from the curfew? Reelection, of course.

MANDISA REMER

Senior, Inglewood High

Just a few weeks ago, we mourned the deaths of three of our alumni. When will the violence end? Anyone under age 18 shouldn’t be outside the house at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. as so many teen-agers are. That’s why I support the curfew.

But for the curfew to work, we as individuals have a responsibility in carrying out the law. Parents need to be more responsible by finding out what their children do, who they are with and what type of atmosphere they are exposed to. And teen-agers under 18 need to accept responsibility by obeying the curfew and encouraging friends to do likewise.

LORISA YATES

Senior, Inglewood High

The Inglewood curfew is only a temporary solution to a permanent problem. It will satisfy the residents of Inglewood for a short time, but in time, teens will become restless and resentful. The children will soon feel more like they are in an institution instead of in a city.

YASMIN BASKIN

Eighth grader, Inglewood Christian School

I agree with the curfew. But the city should not stop with the curfew. There should be after-school and weekend activities for youths.

CAMEO WATKINS

Sophomore, St. Mary’s Academy

I think the curfew is unfair. The whole thing about being in America is freedom. Why should we be restricted to our houses? Parties don’t start until after 10 p.m. The City of Inglewood should have the same rules as other cities. The same violence that happens here happens in other parts of the county too.

PORTIA DANIELS

Sophomore, Morningside High

A major concern for many teen-agers is whether the police will harass us, even if we have a legitimate reason for being out past curfew, like returning home from a school activity.

As I see things, teens may learn all the acceptable reasons to be out past curfew and manipulate their responses to the police. Then how effective will the curfew be?

CESAR MARTINEZ

Senior, Morningside High

I think the curfew is an insult to all the good teen-agers because they won’t be able to go out. I think that city officials should only put the curfew on those who have prior problems with the police.

ADRIENNE GRIFFIN

Senior, Morningside High

I think the curfew will be ignored. There are too many teen-agers to try to control on weekends anyway. Curfew would just cause more problems in a system that already has too many problems.