(VALLEY CENTER, Kan.)—
Valley Center police are proposing changes to the city's curfew laws. Currently, the laws apply to anyone under the age of 16. Chief Mark Hephner says the proposed ordinance would apply to anyone under the age of 18. He says it's in response to increased vandalism and theft committed by minors.
The chief says about 80% of those types of crimes are committed by juveniles.
“It's a high number so we're hoping it would have a significant effect on crime,” says Hephner.
The law would prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from being out past 10:00 p.m. on weeknights and 11:00 p.m. on weekends.
“It comes from street officers at night and some of their frustrations. They were getting 15 and 16 year olds walking around at two or three in the morning.”
The council will discuss the issue at a meeting December 18th.
