KCTV 5Mayor reviews teen curfew to control crowds

Officials are looking at Philadelphia's curfew experiment to control crowds of teens who congregate at night on the Country Club Plaza and other places in the city.

The mayor of Philadelphia announced a 9 p.m. curfew last week for those under 18 on Fridays and Saturdays in the downtown and the area around the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

And Kansas City Mayor Sly James is on the move, looking at the same curfew law.

He is out to help the people of Kansas City and the kids after repeated requests for help.

"There's been a lot of calls for curfews and things of that nature, but there's not an easy way to do a curfew in Kansas City," said James.

James says it's just not as easy as everyone thinks, and he can't propose a curfew without looking into it.

"We thought we would come out and walk through the Plaza, and try and talk to kids as they congregate if they are here, and try and make sure we don't have any problems," said James.  "It's a more personal touch.  It's a more direct touch, and I think it's something that these kids want."

Brian Hunter lives in Shawnee, and like the mayor, Hunter is a father.

He says a curfew is not what the city needs.

"I think the parents need to step up and take responsibility.  You can't legislate morality.  The kids are going to be kids, and the reason they're causing problems is because their parents don't hold them accountable," said Hunter.  "It's not up to the police or anyone else. It's up to the parents to step in and take action."

James says the idea of a curfew mirrors one implemented in Philadelphia.

The trouble there is much worse.

However, James says this idea is one he will need input on from the teens of Kansas City. It's not as easy as a curfew.

"What we really need to be doing is finding ways to occupy our children's time and educate parents about what they are doing in terms of having their kids out on the street late at night," said James.

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