Councilman Kenneth Stokes says he doesn’t want youth crime – which he describes as rampant in his central Jackson ward – to “spread to all over the city.”
This concern prompted the longtime Ward 3 councilmember to reintroduce a youth curfew to tamp down on “nocturnal mischief.” The ordinance, passed Tuesday, bars those under the age of 18 from tarrying on streets or highways, in a park, vacant lots or at establishments after 10 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends or during school hours. It contains a few exceptions, such as running an errand for a parent or being en route to or from academic, volunteer or religious activities.
“If we don’t save them, you might be the next victim,” Stokes said.
The council unanimously passed the ordinance with little discussion on Tuesday night. But it remains to be seen if Jackson can enforce it as the city currently lacks a place for the Jackson Police Department to take children who violate the curfew, according to Pieter Teeuwiseen, the city’s chief administrative officer…