It is thrilling to see local authorities appear ready to take a proactive approach against juvenile delinquency with a new daytime curfew during the school year, but it is equally as important, to ensure progress, that the police department and sheriff’s office regularly collect enforcement data and present it to the public.
The Hollister City Council recently approved an update to the curfew ordinance by adding provisions for daytime enforcement. The amendment adds a daytime curfew for minors during regularly scheduled school hours, with monetary penalties against their parents for repeated violations. The new regulations will apply to San Juan Bautista and county jurisdictions, too.
“It’s designed to avoid having kids out during the hours of compulsory school when they might loiter and cause problems for businesses or residences,” said Interim Police Chief David Westrick in an interview with the Free Lance.
He is right, but this cannot become a mere message with hopes to scare delinquents and truants into changing their life paths, as truancy often leads to criminal behavior now and down the road. The police department and sheriff’s office must enforce the law if they are going to commit to it, while the added provision will give them more leeway when it comes to probable cause in making initial contact.
There are other logistical matters to address before the law takes effect Aug. 1 – such as establishing an identification system for students who are on independent study or may attend San Andreas, which requires fewer classroom hours – but nothing that should restrict officials from being ready within eight weeks.
Once established, local authorities must account for their progress – ideally presenting it monthly or quarterly to officials and the public – or this program likely will gradually plummet into virtual non-existence, as others have, on the police and sheriff’s priority list.
