Iowa City headed toward juvenile curfew

It appears that Iowa City will soon have a curfew for kids 17 and younger.

Meeting in a work session last night, a divided City Council gave informal approval to an ordinance that would require minors to be off the streets by midnight at the latest. The first of three votes needed to pass the ordinance will happen Tuesday.

Some who supported the curfew said they struggled with the decision but ultimately concluded it would be a helpful tool for police in response to growing concerns over public safety.

“I think it's called for in this situation,” Matt Hayek said. “It may not pan out well. We may revisit it.”

Hayek was joined by Mayor Regenia Bailey, Mike O'Donnell, Connie Champion and Mike Wright in supporting an ordinance. Police Chief Sam Hargadine also is in favor.

Amy Correia and Ross Wilburn were opposed.

“One of my concerns is that this gets away from teaching about violent and threatening behavior, and not the time of day,” Wilburn said.

Council members agreed that behavior is the biggest concern. The issue of a curfew came up after a series of violent incidences this summer involving youth in southeast Iowa City.

There was talk of passing an ordinance addressing delinquent behavior. But many of those activities are covered by existing laws, and the juvenile justice system is primarily a product of state law, leaving the city with little power to make changes, City Attorney Eleanor Dilkes said.

One frequently heard complaint the city can address is people congregating on streets and sidewalks and impeding traffic. A majority of council members said last night that they support making that illegal.

Curfew would begin at midnight for 16- and 17-year-olds, at 11 p.m. for those who are 14 and 15 and at 10 p.m. for those 13 and younger. It would end at 5 a.m. for all groups.

It lays out several exceptions, including for religious, work, political and school activities. There would be no curfew for minors accompanied by a responsible adult.

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

Council members said they wanted to ensure that a curfew is applied citywide and that minorities are not unfairly targeted.

Hargadine said curfew violations would be a low priority for officers and he expected most complaints to be handled with a warning. Citations mostly would come with repeat offenses, he said.

Violating either the curfew or loitering ordinance would be a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $50 fine.

Curfew timesMidnight: 16- and 17-year-olds11 p.m.: 14- and 15-year-olds10 p.m.: 13 years old and youngerPenalty: $50 fine

Midnight: 16- and 17-year-olds

11 p.m.: 14- and 15-year-olds

10 p.m.: 13 years old and younger

Penalty: $50 fine