Richmond’s Curfew

Richmond has a curfew – I didn’t know that, did you? This is from the police’s news release: “Article 8 of the City Code states that no one under 18 is allowed in public places between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following day unless they meet one of the following criteria: Accompanied by […]

September 1, 2009; 10:27 PM • by Fan of the Fan

Richmond has a curfew – I didn’t know that, did you? This is from the police’s news release:

“Article 8 of the City Code states that no one under 18 is allowed in public places between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following day unless they meet one of the following criteria:

Accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
Engaged in an employment activity
Engaged in a government, civic or religious activity
Involved in an emergency situation, or
Are within 25 feet of the minor’s residence.

The purpose of the juvenile curfew restrictions is to protect minors from the dangers of crime that may occur after nightfall and to ensure parental controls are in place.”

One part of the statement that struck me is: “protect minors from the dangers of crime that may occur after nightfall”. There are many crimes happening “after nightfall” but way before 11pm. Things are happening at 9pm, that’s right after nightfall. What happens when daylight savings time ends? Or what about the robberies that occur at 5:09am? I guess what I’m getting at is my sudden anxiety from the rash of robberies and assaults occurring so close to my house and at such “reasonable” hours. Whatever happened to criminals only working between the hours of midnight and 4am? Can I go out at night until a normal time (i.e. 10pm or so) and walk back to my house from my parking spot without worrying?

I really hope my mom doesn’t read this…