UTICA - In light of recent criminal activity, a Utica City Councilman is calling for a youth curfew in his district.

"We are to the point now where we have to do this," said Councilman Jim Zecca. "We do have a crisis situation. We can't bury our heads in the sand anymore."

Councilman Jim Zecca says it's time to put an end to crime in the 2nd district, and to do that, he is proposing a youth curfew pilot program.

"It's going to protect the young people from the evil elements that are on our streets," Zecca said.

The proposed ordinance would apply to those children aged 12 and under, mandating they be off the streets from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays.

And like Zecca, some community members feel that after those hours, children often become the target of drug dealers and gangs.

"We would like to have our children in at a certain time because that's when they prey," said Minister James Warren Lilley, a West Utica resident. "They come out at night."

Similar proposals have passed though Common Council sessions before, but cost was always a big concern.

But Zecca says in this ordinance, if children are caught out after-hours they would not be taken to a detention center, instead their parents would be notified and issued a citation that they would then have to pay back to the city.

"Bottom line is that the parents have to take the responsibility," said Zecca.

Responsibility for things that kids we spoke with say are rampant in some areas of the city.

"Vandalism, drugs, alcohol, all that stuff happens, and the problem through a child's eye," said Ryan Blanchard, 14, a West Utica resident. "I don't even think there is anything to do."

Other say it is not that simple. But regardless of whether or not the ordinance takes effect, community members here say they will continue to show youth alternatives to crime.

"We are going to put up the fight of faith to keep our children safe," said Minister Warren Lilly said.

The effectiveness of youth curfews is still up for debate. Some people feel that it hurts the law abiding children, while the non-law abiding kids still participate in crime.

Members of the West Utica community are urged to attend a public hearing on the matter on July 2 at the Common Council meeting at Utica City Hall. That begins at 7 p.m.

And to hear more about the proposed curfew, there will be a public meeting Wednesday, June 25 at 7p.m. at the Holy Trinity Church School on Lincoln Avenue.