Proposed youth curfew in Fayetteville rejected by city council
The proposed youth curfew in Fayetteville is not moving forward.
On Monday night, Fayetteville City Council voted 7-3 to reject the ordinance presented by Police Chief Kem Braden.
It would have made it unlawful for anyone under 18 to be out between 1 a .m. and 5 a.m. on weekends and midnight and 5 a.m. on weekdays.
For anyone 16 and under -- it would have gone into effect at 11 p.m. each night.
Parents or guardians must accompany minors if they are out during those hours. Minors found violating the curfew can be charged with a misdemeanor, and their parents could be fined $100.
Braden said the curfew would reduce youth crime. However, residents who oppose the measure said it would lead to more distrust between Black and brown people and the Fayetteville Police Department and create a "de-facto stop and frisk."
Protesters stood outside city hall last week. One mother said she lets her children go on walks at night and exercise early in the morning – and she worried that childhood joy would be taken away by the curfew.
Council members who voted against it said they need more input from the school board, Social Services and other agencies before moving forward.
