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Police jury adopts juvenile curfew over local lawyer's objection
The Ouachita Parish Police Jury approved a juvenile curfew ordinance Monday but not without opposition to the measure.
Many Ouachita Parish residents applauded the police jury's decision to adopt a juvenile curfew ordinance, which police jurors did at their regular meeting Monday.
However, local attorney Charles Kincaid said the police jury's action was "restricting fundamental freedoms of a large group of law-abiding people."
Kincaid argued the police jury adopted a juvenile curfew ordinance because the district attorney's office and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office requested an ordinance be implemented. He said no evidence existed to prove the ordinance was needed.
"When you take such a drastic step, you should have something to base it on, and you do not have it," said Kincaid, who has represented the American Civil Liberties Union in the past.
"You are now making law-breakers out of a large group of law-abiders," Kincaid said.
Kincaid said the juvenile ordinance would burden the court system and law enforcement agencies.
Local law enforcement officials disagreed. They say the curfew ordinance was needed.
Lt. Eugene Ellis with the Monroe Police Department said juvenile criminal activity in areas where the city of Monroe borders the parish boundaries was rampant. He said juveniles can simply walk across a street to escape Monroe police officers' jurisdiction.
OPSO chief deputy Jay Russell agreed the juvenile ordinance was needed.
"These kids who are out there at this time of night, between midnight and 5 a.m., and they have no business being on the road," Russell said.
Former Sheriff Richard Fewell first requested the police jury implement a juvenile curfew. According to Russell, Fewell wanted a curfew because of an increase in drive-by shootings and fights involving juveniles.
"The last three (drive-by shootings) we've had have been done by 16-year-olds who shouldn't be out there anyhow," Russell said. "We have kids laying in hospitals because of fights. If we have this ordinance, we could do something to protect these kids from being beat up and hurt at two or three in the morning."
According to the police jury's ordinance, it would be unlawful for "any minor under the age of 17 to remain on public property or a public place in the unincorporated areas of Ouachita Parish" from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and from midnight to 5 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
The ordinance also states it would be unlawful for parents or guardians to "knowingly permit such child to violate" any provision of the ordinance.
There are provisions in the ordinance that exempt minors if they are accompanied by parents, guardians or an adult who has care and custody of a juvenile. The provisions also will not apply to minors on an emergency errand, going to and form work, or participating in any civic, religious or school-sponsored activities.
Minors who violate the ordinance would "be dealt with in accordance to the juvenile laws of the state," according to the ordinance. Also, any parent, guardian or other person found guilty of violating the ordinance will be charged with a misdemeanor and could be fined $500 or imprisoned for no more than 30 days, or both. |
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