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New County curfew aims to keep kids safe
Young people in the
unincorporated areas of the region will need to be home by 10
p.m. following a unanimous decision of the San Diego County
Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Dianne Jacob urged turning back
the curfew from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. to make the County consistent
with other cities and keep young people safe.
The curfew will apply to all those under 18
loitering in public places without permission from a parent or
guardian. It won't apply to minors at or heading home from
sanctioned events.
Jacob joined forces with District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and
Sheriff Bill Gore to advocate for the earlier curfew. The three
officials said the move will stop young people from seeking out
jurisdictions with later curfews to stage parties. Jacob said
the change will especially help crack down on gang-related
activity in the Spring Valley area.
"I can tell you firsthand that Sherriff's deputies need
this important tool to make communities safer," Jacob said,
describing a scene she witnessed during a recent curfew sweep in
Spring Valley. Jacob said deputies and probation officers lacked
the authority to break up a large party outside an apartment
complex at 10:30 p.m. The group included suspected gang members.
"Statistics reveal that the hour between 10 p.m. and 11
p.m. is prime crime time for kids. By enforcing the earlier
curfew we can ensure that kids are exactly where their families
believe them to be," Jacob said. "For kids that are in the wrong
place, we're working with law enforcement, community groups and
faith-based organizations to put them on a path to better
behavior."
Local statistics suggest that the enforcement of an
earlier curfew will lessen the number of crimes against
juveniles and especially target violent crimes. More than 43
percent of curfew violations within the Sherriff's jurisdiction
occur on Friday and Saturday night, according to the Sheriff's
Department.
The cities of San Diego, El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee
have 10 p.m. curfews.
The County plans to contact cities with 11:00 p.m. curfews to
request the earlier hour.
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