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Oct 27, 2008 4:01 pm US/Central
N. Texas Cities Adopting Daytime Curfew Ordinances
Selena Hernandez
HURST (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
A newly implemented ordinance in the cities of Euless and Bedford is meant to keep kids in school and off the streets. Now the City of Hurst is looking to adopt a similar ordinance.
Authorities say the new daytime curfews, in effect between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., are designed to crack down on truancy.
The daytime curfew targets kids who may be cutting class. Euless police say in just one month the ordinance has already had a positive impact, but some students were surprised to learn about the curfew.
The ordinance was adopted in both Euless and Bedford on September 23rd. It requires all minors, younger than 17-years-old, to be in class during school hours. If found a minor is found wandering the streets or is out in public during the curfew times they should have a legitimate excuse for being there; such as a work release or doctor's appointment.
In extreme cases, police say, students could face a fine of up to $500.
Euless Police Department Sergeant Eric Starnes says the response to the curfew has been positive. "I've had parents come up to me and applaud the city for adopting this ordinance."
The response has not been all positive from minors. Some students in Hurst say the ordinance could be going a little too far. "As long as they [students] have their head on straight - they'd go to school without any force or a curfew," said high school student Ashbey Antley.
So far there has been only one curfew citation written in Euless and none in Bedford.
The curfew ordinance was initiated as part of a request from the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. Officials in the district say they will have a true gauge of the impact of the ordinance in January.
Meanwhile, the City of Hurst is set to take up the issue next year.
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