AMARILLO - A public hearing will help Amarillo City commissioners decide whether to extend the curfew for teens.
Amarillo police say the ordinance that prohibits teens 16 and under from being out past midnight has been successful in reducing juvenile crime since the city first adopted it in 1995.
The Amarillo Police Chief presented a report to city commissioners today. The report shows that police made 130 arrests or citations to teens last year, and it gave several specific examples of police being able to stop certain crimes because of the curfew ordinance.
But the curfew isn't only in place to keep teens from committing crimes, it's for their own protection.
"It keeps them off the streets, keeps them from becoming a victim. You know, there's places with alcohol being served, you get 15 and 16 year-olds down in that crowd. They can become a victim of assault, maybe sexual assault," Amarillo Police Corporal Jerry Neufeld said.
Consequences for violating curfew include attending a class with a parent on why the law is so important or a fine of up to 500 dollars.
This ordinance has been renewed every three years since 1995, but a public hearing next Wednesday at city hall will give residents a chance to voice their concerns.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:12 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:12:27 GMT
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Senate has approved a bill to provide various tax breaks to property and vehicle owners who suffered losses in Monday's tornado that tore through Moore and left 24
The Oklahoma Senate has approved a bill to provide various tax breaks to property and vehicle owners who suffered losses in Monday's tornado that tore through Moore and left 24 people dead.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:00 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:00:54 GMT
OKLAHOMA CITY Okla_ AAA Oklahoma will be offering Tipsy Tow over the extended Memorial Day holiday period. The service is free and open to the public. A tow for your car and a ride home for you are available
AAA Oklahoma will be offering Tipsy Tow over the extended Memorial Day holiday period. The service is free and open to the public.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:07:47 GMT
Wichita Falls, TX- One person is dead and two others are recovering following a rollover crash in Texoma. It happened in Wichita Falls around 11 p.m. Thursday on Loop 11. Police are still investigating
One person is dead and two others are recovering following a rollover crash in Texoma.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:03 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:03:16 GMT
Anadarko- A former California man is facing a murder charge in Caddo County after another man was found dead. Investigators say they found 34-year-old David Roberts' body inside a vehicle about five-miles
A former California man is facing a murder charge in Caddo County after another man was found dead.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:14 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:14:47 GMT
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma lawmakers are hoping to adjourn the 2013 Legislature one week earlier than required. Lawmakers hope to wrap up their work for the year on Friday. The Legislature is constitutionally
Oklahoma lawmakers are hoping to adjourn the 2013 Legislature one week earlier than required.
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After over a century of being banned, gay youth are now allowed to be a part of the Boy Scouts. But gay adult leaders and parents are still not permitted to participate.
After over a century of being banned, gay youth are now allowed to be a part of the Boy Scouts. But gay adult leaders and parents are still not permitted to participate.
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