Over the past four years, the Tuscaloosa Police say there has been an increase in juvenile arrests, and authorities have found a lot of the crimes happen in the late night hours; this is why a teen curfew has been recommended.
“Hours will be 10pm to 6pm Sunday through Thursday, and then on weekends, which would be Friday and Saturday, hours will be 11pm to 6am,” explains Tuscaloosa Police Chief Steve Anderson. He adds that those under the age of 18 will have to be indoors during these times, and it’s all in hopes of reducing teen crimes and the victimization of teens.
“I believe if it is enacted, it’s going to make a significant difference in reducing juvenile crime in Tuscaloosa,” says Mayor Walt Maddox, who adds that the curfew will also be in effect during school hours, giving students an additional incentive to stay in school.
“If you’re 17 here in Tuscaloosa and you decide to drop out, you’re going to have nothing to do all day because by law you have to be somewhere besides on our streets during the curfew hours,” says Mayor Maddox.
Violators of the curfew will be picked up by Tuscaloosa Police; they’ll then be brought to headquarters, where only their parents can pick them up. And there will be some exceptions to the rule. For example, University of Alabama students under the age of 18, as well as underage members of the armed forces.
