The city of Knightdale had their open meeting regarding the curfew that has been imposed on those 18 and under, with the ACLU in attendence. My original story is here. Apparently, it was very contentious, and residents of Knightdale did not appreciate the ACLU’s goal:
While the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina described its visit to Knightdale on Thursday night as a community forum to discuss the town’s new curfew, many residents clearly thought the group was there to start trouble.
The forum featured passionate arguments on all sides and frequently deteriorated into a shouting match about how best to raise teenagers in a growing municipality where there’s not much to do.
And that is what happens when a group like the ACLU tries to impose it’s will on a township that feels that they know the best way to run their community. You have an escalating gang problem in the Triangle are (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, including the surrounding areas, including Knightdale), and Knightdale is taking action. Good for them. We aren’t talking about a bunch of preppy kids all running around in their SUV’s wearing pink shirts and boat shoes. We are talking real gangs.
The majority of those in attendance were staunchly in favor of the curfew, which requires teens younger than 18 to be indoors by 9 p.m. They struggled to hold their tongues while Jennifer Rudinger, the ACLU’s executive director, and staff attorney Shelagh Kenney made their case against the use of curfews.
Rudinger explained that, as policy, the ACLU opposes teen curfews because they are ineffective and unconstitutional. The ACLU has said it is considering taking action against the town but wanted to discuss the issue with the community first.
So, the towns people want what they want to protect their community, and, the ACLU wants to impose their will on the town. Anyone want to make a bet that an ACLU lawsuit is next, which would seriously waste Knightdale’s money?
Rudinger said curfews punish law-abiding citizens, infringe on parents’ rights and give police extraordinary discretionary powers.
The power to protect their town from graffiti, property damage, and violence? Sounds good to me. The city has put the burden on the parents to control their children. Have I mentioned that the town says that the graffiti, property damage, and violence has gone down dramatically since June 1, 2005, when the curfew went into effect?
Randy Hamilton said the town needed to make it a priority to create more activities for youngsters, arguing that developers should be required to install play areas in the new subdivisions going up around town.
Sorry, Randy, but "play areas" aren’t going to do a whole hell of a lot for teenagers, particularly those who would rather be involved in gang areas.
The ACLU has problems states that the curfew violates the ability of the children to worship (why would the ACLU care about religion?) and gather to protest. I’ve lived in Raleigh for over 10 years. I have yet to read ANYTHING about an under 18 protest. And, guess what, ACLU? They still can, as long as their are legal adults present.
Now, I understand the arguments of the good kids. They aren’t out there causing problems. But the curfew starts at 9pm. Maybe they should be home studying during the school week. They can still go places with adult supervision. Which most who do not have a drivers license will be, anyhow. I was one of the good kids, and I understand being out past 9 during the summer and on weekends. Usually, though, we were in areas which had adults, such as other kids homes, or at the boardwalk along the Jersey Shore. Cops and lots of adults present. In retrospect, the arcades and hangouts were controlled areas. That meant shit to those who did want to cause trouble, who did not hang out in those places.
Have I mentioned that you have to be 18 now to apply for a Learners Permit to drive in NC now? Those over 15, you may obtain a provisional license, which has heavy restrictions with it. A level 2 Permit restricts the times when one can drive unsupervised from 5am to 9pm. So the those under 18 shouldn’t be out on the road, anyhow.
Is Knightdales response the most perfect one? Maybe, maybe not. But it has reduced under 18 crime. Perhaps there could be some compromise, and make the curfew 10 or 11 on weekends. And, unless the ACLU has a better idea, something they forgot to mention, maybe they should keep their noses out of Knightdales business.
