Miami-Dade Begins Enforcing 11 p.m. Curfew for Kids 17 and Younger

By Kyle Munzenrieder Thu., Feb. 28 2013 at 12:34 PM

Categories: News

Curfew laws targeting minors have been on the books in Miami-Dade for a while, but police actively enforce the ordinance only sporadically. The department announced yesterday that it will enforce the curfew in earnest immediately. Sorry, kids, you've got to be off the streets by 11 p.m. on school nights and midnight on the weekends.

The curfew is usually enforced during summer when school is out. So the news the curfew will be enforced while school is still in session comes as a bit of surprise, but many suspect it's a reaction to a rash of violent street crimes.

Youngsters are allowed to return to the streets at 6 a.m. Before that time, they are not allowed to "linger, stay, congregate, move about, wander, or stroll in any public place in Miami-Dade County."

There are several exemptions, including if the teen:

1. is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or by someone 21 years of age or older that has permission to be responsible for the juvenile;

2. is working or traveling to or from work;

3. is traveling interstate;

4. has written permission from a parent or guardian to run an errand;

5. is aiding or assisting in an emergency;

6. is traveling to or from a school, religious, civic, or county-sponsored event;

7. is emancipated by marriage or court order;

8. is homeless;

9. is exercising First Amendment rights;

10. is on the property of his/her residence, or a neighbor's residence if the neighbor does not object;

11. is attending or returning from a public event that began before 10 p.m. and has written permission; or

12. is authorized by the county commission.

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davidgoldfarb

This is dangerous. I'm underage and find myself, when I want to leave the house, having to travel along side streets and in neighborhoods because I don't feel safe going along the main roads in case the police come and detain me, which has happened. If a child wants to leave their residence after 11 or 12, they're not going to stop because of a 1 in 200 chance a cop sees them. They're going to just walk in less busy (and therefore more dangerous) spots where it's more likely they'll be mugged or worse.
If a minor is committing a crime charge them with that crime. I say make the curfew 13 or 14 years old and enforce it with valid ID.
Republicans complain about a 'nanny-state' where large sodas are banned but I guess people only care if they're directly affected. You may not care if a 17 year old can walk to her friend's house on a Saturday night, but you will care when curfews get expanded to include prior felons and then all adults in certain areas and so on. Fight this now.

Bigdic topcommenter

1 Like

I can see a lot of free blow jobs & sex by the police in this scam. Teens caught out after curfew, they should have their parent, parents / guardians locked up as well.

Maria Lankina

So sad and ironic and all bitter : one of exceptions - if the child is homeless. I can't stand the world that does that to kids:(

Lissette Martinez

Emily Vasquez lol!

Joe Spector

1 Like

Stupid abuse of power. I guess that we need to pass a constitutional amendment that allows us to be outside of the house.

floydianslipped

@Joe Spector FIRST you have to be 18 to vote, SECOND this is a Miami Dade county wide ordinance which means this hasn't been added to the United States Constitution so there's nothing to pass an Amendment for and THIRD read Section 10 of the list again. Stay in school...