Mpls. Police Ponder 8 P.M. Curfew After Youth Mob Attacks
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- There have been six mob attacks, in all, since February. Now, police are now wondering if an 8 o'clock curfew keeping anyone 17 and under from two downtown streets will stop the violence.
Nicollet Mall is a destination for many. Outdoor patios where drinks and food are served are a draw not only to people who live here, but also tourist.
Since February, when the sun goes down, later in the evening, mobs of teens take advantage of the darkness and attack.
A video captured on 6th Street and Nicollet shows how the mob of teens viciously attacks innocent people.
Police have made four arrests, but continue to search for others. They've beefed up patrols and monitor video from cameras that cover the entire downtown area.
Minneapolis Police have asked the city attorney if it can impose a curfew of 8 p.m. along the mall and Hennepin Avenue.
For some, talk of an earlier curfew for 17 year olds and under won't stop the violence.
"Curfews are just going to make them want to act out even more," said Mary Carter. "I don't feel like that would solve the problem because I feel that kids that would adhere to the curfew aren't the ones causing the problems to begin with."
Kids we spoke with say they feel as if they're being punished for something they had nothing to do with.
"They're stopping me from going to where I need to go," said 15-year-old Marlon Beard.
The curfew would allow those 17 and under to come and go from Timberwolves and Twins games and other activities.
Some think the idea would keep mobs of kids like this out of downtown.
There is a curfew in Hennepin County. Sunday through Thursday, kids under 12 need to be home by 9 p.m., 12- to 14-year-olds by 10 p.m. and 15 to 17-year-old's by 11 p.m.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the curfew is an hour later for all ages.
Meanwhile, Downtown Improvement District Workers and their radios also help in alerting police and several hundred securities guards who work in offices downtown to potential problems.
