Philadelphia City Council approves permanent 10 p.m. curfew
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia's summertime curfew could soon become permanent. City council passed a bill Thursday afternoon that would make the summer curfew permanent.
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson proposed the legislation and is a mother herself.
Gilmore Richardson says her goal is to protect Philadelphia's young people who all too often fall victim to the city's violence.
"There are too many young people who have been involved in crime or criminal incidents simply because they have been out late at night," she said.
Philadelphia City Council on Thursday passed a bill requiring anyone 17 years old and younger to be home by 10 p.m.
There are a few exceptions, including if the teenager is with a parent or going to or from work.
Gilmore Richardson says the legislation's aim is preventive versus punitive.
"When a kid gets picked up for violating curfew," she said, "the first step is to try to reunify them with their family. If that's unable to happen, then we'll take them to a community resource evening center if they are close. If not, they go to the police district."
The bill includes expanded curfew centers hours, which will stay open through 2 a.m., and reporting from Philadelphia police on its enforcement.
"A young person can show their ID, not many young people have an ID card," Gilmore Richardson said, "so maybe they have a school ID card."
But retired Philadelphia warrant unit sergeant Mark Fussetti argues given police staffing issues and added scrutiny in recent years that officers worry this measure puts even more risk on their shoulders.
"We can't just stop anyone for any reason anymore," Fusetti said. "How are we going to determine a 15-year-old and a 20-year-old, or a 20-year-old who looks 15? Officers are going to hesitate because this is another chance for them to get in trouble."
The bill still needs to be approved by Mayor Jim Kenney.
Kenney's office says they're currently reviewing the legislation.
