Utica pushes for a child curfew law

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Utica pushes for a child curfew law

By GARY LIBERATORE

Story Created: Aug 3, 2008 at 7:47 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 3, 2008 at 7:47 PM EST

UTICA - It has been four years in the making, but a Utica City Councilman believes we are just days away from a new curfew law for kids here in the city.

One city councilman, Jim Zecca says, "We've been debating this I'd say for the past four years"

Councilman Zecca also notices that certain areas in Utica have gotten bad when it comes to kids hanging out late at night. Kids being as young as 15 years old.

If the law passes, kids 15 and under would have a curfew from 10:00 in the evening to 6:00 in the morning.

The law isn't so unfamiliar either. Other cites such as Rochester also have a curfew for children.

Also it is not the children who get punished for disobeying the curfew, the parents would be the ones punished. Parents would face a fine of $50.00 for the first offense, second fine up to $200.00 and a third would be up to $500.00. The court would be encouraged to also sentence the parents to counseling and or community service.

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Thursday, Aug 7 at 9:35 PM anonymous wrote ...

the curfew should pass for all the city of utica west utica in getting real bad start installing cameras all around to try to chase the trouble somewheres else people dont feel safe anymore west utica is getting worse than cornhill

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Tuesday, Aug 5 at 9:46 PM Anonymous wrote ...

well they are out on the st because the school just keep passin them an they can not get a real job so they are learning the st an maken a living.. look at the bigger pic. everyone is not rich an some kids come from broken home an they try an try again an still find them self on pa

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Tuesday, Aug 5 at 8:01 PM homeowner wrote ...

I hope this pass but it not going to help us over here in west utica the 800 block of wager street these kids have no parent watching them all day and night

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Tuesday, Aug 5 at 9:04 AM Insight wrote ...

Having a Curfew pushes the problem of kids wandering the streets, under the Rug. First, the County Executive and the Mayor need to go into Cornhill/other areas of the City,and talk to the kids. See what's on THEIR MIND. Second, what about have a Meditation Seminar, where they can learn to relax? Third, what about the kids doing Volunteer Work - Such as the Red Cross, Mow Lawns for people who can't, and have group sessions to talk about TEEN ISSUES?

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Tuesday, Aug 5 at 7:04 AM It doesnt matter wrote ...

I'm 12 years old and I smoke rocks at all hours of the day...

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Monday, Aug 4 at 9:32 PM Finally!! wrote ...

Its about time they start a curfew. Many kids are out all hours of the night hanging out. This is how they get into trouble, no adult supervision. I hope they instill the curfew, they also should have a curfew for adults hanging on the streets.

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Monday, Aug 4 at 8:50 PM Nana wrote ...

In my opinion, this curfew is long overdue. NO kids should be roaming around neighborhoods at 10PM. Those that do are only looking for trouble. My kids were all taught to be in the house when the street lights came on. They could bring their friends over - but all were safe inside my home; not out on the streets.

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Monday, Aug 4 at 3:31 PM Becky wrote ...

Now all the city kids will invade New Hartford and Whitesboro. Lovely.

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Monday, Aug 4 at 2:45 PM Wow, wrote ...

Gee gosh, I do not understand why they allow someone to say Stupid Goverment! What is wrong with wktv? Shame on you and shame on the person who wrote that!

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Monday, Aug 4 at 1:17 PM PARENT wrote ...

ABOUT TIME

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Monday, Aug 4 at 1:13 PM Belle wrote ...

Why are people in this area always so negative?

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Monday, Aug 4 at 12:15 PM PRIVATE CITIZEN wrote ...

You cannot just bad-mouth every effort our City tries before results are known. A Curfew helped Ilion with their problem and might help us. But you have to give an idea a chance. Stop being part of the problem & support new ideas.

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Monday, Aug 4 at 11:52 AM Doug wrote ...

nd what about the 16-17 year old thugs hangin out causing problems they will most likely get a free pass on their age or will they be arrested????

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Monday, Aug 4 at 10:55 AM In full support wrote ...

There is no reason that a minor needs to be out later than 10PM. I could see loosening it to 11 or even midnight in summer months for 17 year olds. I think we'd all agree that there is little of value that kids can do after the sun drops.

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Monday, Aug 4 at 9:58 AM young mom wrote ...

I hope this works. I do believe that making the parents suffer is a great idea b/c some parents just dont care anymore where there kids are and what there doing. When I was 15 I had to tell my parents where I was and stay there if it was late. We never just roamed the street like the kids do now. Im scared for my kids to gow up wondering what its going to be like in 13 years from now b/c the way things have changed already in the past 13 yrs. I hope for the best with this new curfew!!!!

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Monday, Aug 4 at 9:40 AM Oh Please! wrote ...

I don't think this is going to make a difference. Like I said before, give these kids something to do and they will be off the streets. Keep the gym at the Rec Center open til 10pm. Have dances or fundraisers so they can raise money for a block party or street fair. Help the community nd they will help you. Give them community service to keep their neighborhoods clean.

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Monday, Aug 4 at 9:11 AM bullcrap wrote ...

how rediculous can we be? can we honestly say that there should be a curfew? im sure that many of us stayed out and did all of these things when we were younger, and now we are the ones who are trying to take away the freedom of our children?? its the same thing as our opinions on clothing and the music our kids listen to today. the generational gap is large but thats just life!! this curfew should NOT pass!if anything create an environment where kids can have fun!! dont punish, ENCOURAGE!!!!

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Monday, Aug 4 at 9:03 AM millie Jean wrote ...

this is a great idea! I see no need for kids to be on the streets unsupervised...but,to those so quick to skin the parents,some of the kids might have a single parent home where the parent works a night shift,still others work early morning shifts and might be in bed when Jr sneaks out...it isn't always bad parenting....sometimes it is kids who ignore their limits,and figure that they can do what they want!

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Monday, Aug 4 at 6:40 AM Need change wrote ...

Show up at Weds 8/6 common council meeting at city hall. If you want to comment the time will be 6:45 p.m. if you don't wish to comment 7 p.m. Yes, we need to have a city wide curfew. Contact your district councilor. Jim Zecca the West Utica council person has wanted it city wide only others fought a curfew. We the residents of this area need a curfew not just for adults, but also to protect the youth. Enough is enough. To those that are willing to support a curfew, thank you

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Monday, Aug 4 at 6:14 AM A few bad apples wrote ...

your imposing a curfew across all realms, for a few? not all kids out at night are causing trouble. some are enjoying the summer, running around, skateboarding, going from friend to friends house. isn't that what makes up the pleasant memories of childhood? I live in w utica, and yeah it is bad over here. but my son is not part of it. i won't allow it. he has been assaulted though by kids roaming and looking for trouble, there the ones who need the curfew.

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Sunday, Aug 3 at 11:13 PM about time wrote ...

it should be like this in all towns, not just utica. it sucks that government has to do this because of lousy parenting though.

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Sunday, Aug 3 at 9:13 PM anon wrote ...

stupid government thinks it can play mommy and daddy... why don't they find something better to do? (and no I'm not some kid saying that, I don't even live in utica anymore).

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Sunday, Aug 3 at 9:08 PM herb wrote ...

I hope this is for the entire city and not just cornhill and west utica. The trash in south utica let their kids roam, drink, drug and have sex sometimes as late as 3:30am. The cops are called, they chase the kids and then we do it all over again the next night. The more money they have, the worse behaved their kids are. There should be cop patrols up in ridgewood every night. They'd collect thousands the first month and be able to make multiple drunk and drug arrests.

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Sunday, Aug 3 at 8:54 PM parent wrote ...

In west utica the kids are out all time night and something needs to be done with these parents to . I hope this goes through.

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Sunday, Aug 3 at 7:56 PM AWSOME wrote ...

SO now mom and dad will have to drink and drug earlier, gee maybe test results will be higher if the city kids are to be home

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