After receiving 2,474 responses from a community survey, the Owensboro Police Department learned that 57% of respondents support the curfew for juveniles in its current form, which is 1-5 a.m. For those who wanted it amended, responses were split between wanting curfew hours extended and doing away with a curfew altogether.
Major J.D. Winkler presented the findings Tuesday to the Owensboro City Commission.
Of the 43% who did not support the current curfew, preferences broke down as follows:
- 27% want no curfew at all
- 26% want the hours extended to 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- 19% want the hours extended to 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- 14% want the hours extended to 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
- 10% want the hours extended to 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- 5% had other specifications
Winkler said a curfew affects all juveniles, violations only involve a small portion of the group.
Winkler said OPD has charged the “vast majority” of the juveniles involved with violence.
He noted that specifically, one juvenile has obtained 36 criminal citations and 67 charges — five gun-related, three wanton endangerment and a fireman discharge from another agency.
Winkler said in cases like that, the idea of a curfew will not stop them from violating the law.
“[We should] start out creating an ordinance that would target the juveniles that are causing any problems,” he said. “We have thousands of juveniles who are doing the right thing out there, I just think that you should take that into consideration.”
As Tuesday’s meeting was a only Commission Work Session, no action was taken regarding changes to the curfew. It is not presently on an agenda to make any decisions at an upcoming meeting.
Winkler also noted said that officials have agreed that whatever decision may be made for the City should be in conjunction with the County.
“I think that it’s important that we have our counterparts in the county that are making sure that things are held consistent across the board,” Winkler said.
