Recognizing the need for intervention, officers have begun enforcing city ordinances and state laws, resulting in significant interactions with approximately 75 individuals under the age of 18. One firearm has been recovered, and a DUI incident was also addressed during these operations.
In addition to enforcement, an educational approach has been adopted regarding the Kansas City, MO Juvenile Curfew Ordinance. The initiative includes a two-phase plan aimed at increasing awareness and ensuring compliance with the curfew regulations.
Phase one focuses on education, where youth found violating the curfew are detained and their parents or guardians are notified. No citations are issued for the first offense, but information is recorded for future reference. Social media and other channels are also utilized to disseminate information about the curfew ordinance.
Phase two involves enforcement, where repeat offenders are issued citations, holding the parents or guardians accountable for the violation.
The curfew, applicable during specific hours based on age and time of year, covers various public and private spaces, excluding instances such as emergencies, school or work-related activities, and certain city-sanctioned events.
Parents or guardians found in violation of the curfew ordinance face fines ranging from $125 to $500. Detailed information about the ordinance can be found in KCMO City Ordinance 50-237.
The overarching goal of these efforts is to ensure the safety of the community and deter risky behaviors among youth. The police department emphasizes that formal enforcement of the curfew is not the desired outcome, and they hope to see a decrease in these activities through education and outreach.
The Kansas City curfew ordinance specifies different curfew times for minors based on the time of year. During the summer, from Memorial Day weekend to the last Sunday in September, minors aged 15 and younger must be off the streets from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. For those aged 16-17, the curfew extends from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. During the remainder of the year, minors aged 17 and younger must adhere to a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays (Sunday through Thursday) and from midnight to 6 a.m. on weekends (Friday and Saturday).
The curfew applies to various public and private spaces, including streets, highways, roads, sidewalks, alleys, parks, playgrounds, public places, public buildings, amusement venues, eating establishments, and vacant lots. Essentially, any location unsupervised by an adult with lawful authority falls under the curfew's purview.
There are specific exemptions to the curfew. Minors are allowed to be out during curfew hours if they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or another authorized adult. Additionally, exceptions are made for minors on emergency errands directed by a parent or guardian, those returning home directly from school activities, entertainment, recreational events, or work, and those traveling to or from activities protected by the First Amendment, such as free speech or religious activities. Interstate travel through the city and attendance at city-sanctioned events that approve the presence of unaccompanied minors also exempt minors from the curfew.
If a minor is found in violation of the curfew, they could be detained, and their parent or guardian will be issued a citation. The fines for such violations range from a minimum of $125 to a maximum of $500. The aim of this ordinance is to ensure the safety and well-being of minors, while also maintaining public order and preventing potentially dangerous situations.
For more information on the curfew ordinance, residents are encouraged to refer to the Kansas City, MO Municode Library.
The Kansas City Police Department urges parents and guardians to remain vigilant about their children's activities, emphasizing the importance of keeping them safe and out of harm's way.
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