City officials in crime-ridden Baltimore on Tuesday defended plans for one of the toughest U.S. youth curfews against criticism from residents who were skeptical about police enforcement of the new law.
In a forum with residents, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said the measure, set to take effect on Aug. 8, was aimed at getting children off the streets before they were put in danger.
"This is not about criminalizing young black children but to reach them before the only option for them is law enforcement," the mayor told the crowd of about 100 people.
Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said he had sometimes come across children riding bicycles across the city at 3 a.m. When the parents were contacted, they had no idea where their children were, he said.
"They should not be out there, and you should be honest about that," Batts said.
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They won't follow through with it. There are not going to fine poor people. It will all fall apart when they refuse to pay or go to parenting classes.
ReplyDeleteLock up the parent, notice how I said Parent.
ReplyDelete"Curfews are racist"!
ReplyDelete(I can hear it now)
There are not going to fine poor people"
ReplyDeleteWTH did you just say?
The hoodlums are mostly the children of poor people. They don't pay fines. The city says it is going to fine parents or make them go to parenting classes. Good luck with that.
DeleteSAY WHAT? Wait till my Bro Obama hear dis....
ReplyDeleteA city of 90% low housing , unemployed , welfare and food stamp people , of course they deserve all this , they are entitled . Curfew will stop nothing , not enough police to enforce this move. Burn the city and get rid of these roaches .
ReplyDeleteWhat? Is there to many generations of baby daddies on the dole running loose?
ReplyDeleteGive them Obama clothes.
ReplyDeleteYou would have to find "Parents" first, there are so few of them. There are biological birth mothers and baby daddies but very few "Parents". Parents raise their children to be respectful, kind, hard working, honest and generous young men and women.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone out there not get my point?
I get you. Well said. I teach. Not enough "parents" in this area. Very sad.
Delete