Several members of the Winston-Salem City Council spoke in support of a curfew earlier this week during the Public Safety Committee meeting. Talks about a curfew are in response to what Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn called “Teen Takeovers,” large gatherings of teenagers in public spaces causing disturbances, property damage and other issues.
The most recent incident on Wednesday, June 3, brought hundreds of teenagers and young adults downtown. According Chief Penn, there were at least 20 different violations cited on Wednesday night including carrying a concealed gun. “That one stood out to me … every child out there was in the midst of a gun and we don’t know the intentions of the young man who had it,” Penn said.
Penn and other officials said the goal of the curfew is to improve public safety, reinforce parental responsibility, and prevent young people from exposure to or participation in criminal activity.
Councilmember Denise Adams said she has received dozens of calls from concerned citizens asking what will be done to combat this issue. Adams went on to say while some people may not support implementing a curfew, something has to be done and tough decisions have to be made.
“If you’re sitting in this position you have to make some tough decisions, but you have to look at the big picture,” Adams continued. “…We have to get a handle on all of this … we’re going to have to make some tough decisions and I support the curfew until we can get this under control and if it takes us a year, it takes us a year … but I think we need to act and we need to act quickly.”
In addition to Adams, Councilmembers Annette Scippio and Robert Clark have also spoken in support of the curfew.
But not everyone on city council is in support of the ordinance. Councilmember Scott Andree-Bowen, who represents the Southwest Ward, said during the Public Safety Committee meeting, he doesn’t support the curfew.
City council will vote on the Youth Protection Safety Ordinance during their meeting on Monday, June 15. If approved, the curfew will restrict residents age 17 and under from being in public spaces citywide between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. There will be exceptions for special circumstances, such as work, emergencies and other approved activities.
Penalties for young people found to be violating this curfew could result in facing proceedings in juvenile court and adults receiving potential misdemeanors.
The city council meeting next Monday will be held at City Hall, 101 N. Main Street, and is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.