‘Nothing good happens after midnight.’ Manatee County seeks curfew for minors
Manatee County commissioners may soon impose a curfew preventing minors from being unsupervised in public at certain hours.
The Board of County Commissioners voted 6-1, directing county staff to refine a curfew ordinance for final approval at a later date. Commissioner George Kruse was the one dissenting vote.
The curfew would make it unlawful for minors under the age of 17 to be in public places or establishments from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and from midnight to 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
According to a draft ordinance, public places include streets, alleys, highways, sidewalks, parks and transportation facilities. Establishments include privately-owned businesses like restaurants or movie theaters.
There would be exceptions to the curfew, like if a minor is traveling to or from work, to or from school, on the sidewalk where they live or when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Holidays would also be an exception to the curfew.
According to a staff memo on the county’s agenda, juvenile-related incidents occur frequently at night, including vandalism, theft and disorderly conduct.
Curfew for minors considered in Manatee
“By establishing clear curfew hours, the county can support parents in setting boundaries, reduce the burden on law enforcement and foster a safer environment for both youth and the broader community,” the memo states.
Commissioners said Manatee County’s curfew ordinance would align with the language in Florida State Statute 877.22. The state statute also states that a minor in violation of the curfew would be taken into custody to a police station or religious organization facility.
A law enforcement agent would then need to contact a partner and request the minor be picked up, or transport the minor to their residence after two hours without a response from the parent.
Local municipalities would need to pass an ordinance to enforce a local curfew. This is the case in the City of Bradenton, which already has a curfew ordinance that is nearly identical to the one proposed by Manatee County.
Commissioners debate curfew ordinance
Commissioner Bob McCann who brought the discussion forward, was among the other commissioners who spoke in favor of the ordinance.
“The curfew is something that we need to look at here not only to protect our children but to reduce crime and to make sure that, you know, they have a chance to succeed in school and in life,” McCann said.
Additionally, Commissioner Amanda Ballard said she heard the ordinance had support from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the School District of Manatee County. However, Kruse remained opposed to the ordinance throughout the commission’s discussion.
“I am fundamentally against this,” Kruse said. “It’s not going to do anything.”
Kruse argued that people who are going out to commit crimes won’t care about the penalties of this ordinance. As the ordinance is drafted, a written warning would occur after the first offense, followed by a fine of $50 on the second offense and $100 for subsequent offenses.
“The people who don’t listen to laws are the people who are about to go out and break laws,” Kruse said. “This is going to go after innocent kids that are just out late for innocent reasons.”
Community speaks in favor of curfew
Several people, including representatives from religious organizations and Manatee County schools, voiced support for the curfew at the Aug. 5 meeting.
Among the supporters was Pastor Jerry Parrish, the director of the community outreach program for the Police Athletic League of Manatee County. Parrish echoed McCann’s sentiment that a curfew would help protect minors from dangerous environments.
“We have got to put a curfew. It’ll save some lives,” Parrish said.
Omar Edwards, the associate director of strategic planning initiatives for the School District of Manatee County, called the curfew a “no brainer” and said it would allow the county to take a proactive approach to curbing crime, rather than being reactive.
“This ordinance is an opportunity for us to get the cart before the horse this time and do what’s right. Nothing good happens after midnight,” Edwards said.
After the community had a chance to speak, the BOCC voted 6-1 in favor of directing staff and the county attorney to draft the final ordinance.
