MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Governor Bill Haslam signed a bill on Wednesday that would amend the existing curfew laws and give cities another place to take minors who are found out after curfew.
According to the news release, the law allows police to take minors found after curfew to a designated safety.
They would be forced to stay there until a parent or guardian can pick them up.
Currently, officers either write a kid a summons for violating curfew, which backs up juvenile court, or the officer finds his or her parents, which ties up the officer.
“This is one among many efforts we’ve undertaken to curb youth crime and keep our young people out of the juvenile justice system unless it’s necessary to correct them or to protect the public from them,” Mayor A C Wharton said. “This new law will help youth from falling victim to, or committing, violent offenses, and help identify children suffering from neglect.”
Mayor Wharton said details are still being worked out like the price tag, where the centers will go and staff.
He did mention some ideas like putting the centers in community centers and abandoned schools.
The centers would be up and running this fall, and Mayor Wharton hoped to finalize a plan by mid-summer.
The bill also would apply to students who are out past curfew because of legitimate employment scheduling conflicts.
“This provides us an opportunity to interact with the parent, inform them of available resources such as the Universal Parenting Places, and other programs and services to assist them with any parenting issues they may be experiencing,” Mayor Wharton said.
Right now, kids sixteen and under have to be home by 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. on the weekends.
