By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-856563.mp3
Dallas, TX –
School is back in session today across the state. In Dallas, Police are enforcing a new DAYTIME juvenile curfew. KERA's BJ Austin says it is off-limits for anyone under 17 to be on the streets during school hours.
Dallas joins Houston, San Antonio, Philadelphia, Cleveland and other cities that have a daytime juvenile curfew. Dallas Police Lt. Andy Harvey says the curfew gives police authority to take kids into custody who should be in class.
Harvey: Now there are some exceptions for home-schoolers and schools that have open lunch, and those kinds of things. But if you're a student, you're supposed to be at school you're not supposed to be out by yourself without supervision between 9 and 2:30. Now this is for ages 16 and under.
Police will return the students to school, and could also "ticket" them. The Class C misdemeanor carries a maximum 500 dollar fine. Parents of truants, and business operators who allow juveniles to congregate on their property during the curfew hours, will be ticketed after two "warnings."
Lt. Harvey expects the daytime curfew will benefit the students, and the city's crime rate. Juveniles accounted for 22 percent of all burglary arrests made during school hours in 2008.
Harvey: The goal here for us is not to profit from it. Our goal is to see our students in school where they're supposed to be, and have an impact on crime as well.
City officials say prosecutors will recommend to the courts that students and parents take relevant classes or workshops in lieu of fines. Opponents of the daytime curfew have argued that it "criminalizes" being a teenager.