Iowa City adopts youth curfew

Iowa City youths will soon be required to stay off the streets during the overnight hours.

The council voted 4-3 last night to adopt a juvenile curfew ordinance. The curfew will take effect in about a week, after it is published.

Curfew will start at midnight for 16- and 17-year-olds, 11 p.m. for 14- and 15-year-olds and 10 p.m. for those 13 and younger. There are several exceptions, including for religious, work, political and school activities and for minors accompanied by a responsible adult.

After several months of sometimes divisive debate, there was very little discussion tonight.

“I think we've talked (about) this one pretty substantially,” council member Mike Wright said.

Mayor Regenia Bailey, Amy Correia and Ross Wilburn cast the dissenting votes.

The issue first arose after a few large fights, among other problems, in southeast Iowa City beginning last spring.

Many residents of the neighborhood said they felt unsafe and requiring youths to be inside at night would help. Police Chief Sam Hargadine backed the curfew as another tool for his officers.

Opponents said it wouldn't address the behavior problems that are the root of the trouble and warned it would disproportionately affect minorities.

Hargadine has said curfew violations will be a low priority for officers and citations would primarily be reserved for repeat offenders. Until March 1, officers are to give warnings and must consult a supervisor before issuing a citation.

Violations are a simple misdemeanor and punishable by a $50 fine.

The city wants to get the word out that it now has a curfew and may do so through its Web site, TV channel, newsletters and water bill inserts, as well as the news media and school district.

Cedar Rapids, Coralville and North Liberty already have juvenile curfews.