Northeast News
August 19, 2011

Following a lengthy discussion, the Kansas City Council voted unanimously Aug. 18 to make several changes to the city’s curfew ordinance for minors.

The catalyst for the curfew change was last weekend’s incident on the Country Club Plaza where three minors were shot.

“My message to kids throughout this city is I care about every single one of you,” Kansas City Mayor Sly James said. “Today this council stepped up and clearly announced the days of inaction are over. Enough is enough.
“…this is only a first step, but it is a necessary one. This will not stop the violence in our city. There is much more we will do. But, the large mobs have to stop now.”

Curfew changes are effective this weekend and are as follows:
For the summer months, from the Friday proceeding Memorial Day through the last Sunday in September, the new curfew for minors under 16 is now 10 p.m. For minors ages 16 and 17 the new curfew is 11 p.m.

City council members also designated five areas that will have a special curfew during the summer. Those include the Country Club Plaza, Westport, downtown/central business district, 18th and Vine and Zona Rosa. All five locations will have a 9 p.m. curfew for anyone under age 18. Beginning in October, the curfew will revert back to 11 p.m. for all minors under 18 on weekdays and at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Minors who violate the new curfew ordinance will be detained and their parents will be called to pick them up. Parents will be fined up to $500 for each curfew offense.

Exceptions for the curfew include:
•When a minor is attending an event for which the city has specifically approved the presence of unaccompanied minors upon city property
•When a minor is accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or other adult having the lawful care and custody of the minor
•When the minor is on an emergency errand directed by his or her parent or guardian or other adult  having the lawful care and custody of such minor
•When the minor is returning directly home from a school activity, school entertainment, school recreational activity or school dance
•When the minor is returning directly home from lawful employment that makes it necessary to be in the places referenced in the ordiance during the prescribed period of time
•When the minor is attending or traveling directly to or from an activity involving the exercise of first amendment rights of free speech, freedom of assembly or free exercise of religion
•In interstate travel through the city.

Look for a more detailed story in next week’s print edition of Northeast News.