Title
HOLD a public hearing and consider an ordinance readopting the youth curfew. (Second of Two Public Hearings)
Summary
DATE: April 18, 2023
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Charles Kimble, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Youth Curfew Ordinance
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The City of Killeen adopted the current version of the youth curfew ordinance in 1996 and re-adopted every three years in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2020. The Texas Local Government Code requires that the ordinances be reviewed every third year after passage. The governing body is to review the ordinance's effects on the community and problems it was intended to remedy and conduct public hearings on the need to continue the ordinance. The Council then has the option to abolish, continue or modify the ordinance.
The Killeen Police Department has gathered statistics that show while juveniles continue to commit offenses during the curfew hours, the number is lower than that of adults. That number of juvenile arrests during curfew hours has returned to pre-pandemic levels after tapering off during 2020 and 2021. This indicates that the enforcement of the curfew ordinance continues to deter juveniles from being on the streets during the curfew hours, thus reducing the opportunities to commit offenses or be victimized during those hours.
The ordinance, as presented, is the ordinance currently in effect.
Local Government Code requires two public hearings. This is item is scheduled for public hearings at the Council meeting on April 25, 2023 and May 9, 2023, to allow for input and voting prior to the expiration of the current ordinance.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
Allow the curfew ordinance to lapse; or
Pass the curfew ordinance with changes; or
Pass the curfew ordinance as presented.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Staff recommends passing the curfew ordinance as presented to reduce juvenile crime during the curfew hours; to protect minors from each other...
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