Being an open day for the Stop The ACLU BLogburst, I decided to check out the North Carolina ACLU wackos, and it looks like they are a bit upset about a teenager curfew in Knightdale, NC (right outside of Raleigh). The curfew itself took effect the beginning of June:
Teens might not like Knightdale’s new curfew, but many parents and residents are giving it a big thumbs-up.
It’s the town’s official response to what many in the Wake County town are calling a growing gang problem. The Knightdale Town Council approved the curfew in mid-May. No one under 18 is allowed in public after 9 p.m. without adult supervision. Also, four or more kids cannot gather in a public place at any time.
Parents whose children violate the curfew would initially receive a warning. The next violation would result in a $100 fine, with subsequent fines increasing $150 for each violation. Jail time is an eventual possibility for parents whose children repeatedly violate the ordinance.
Seems pretty reasonable to me. Parents being responsible makes sense. The Knightdale police are getting considerably less calls about teenager problems. But the NC-ACLU has other thoughts:
The ACLU says it’s ready to go after Knightdale’s crackdown on gang violence.
The civil rights group says the town’s new teen curfew is violating teen’s rights. They’re hoping parents and teenagers who are tired of the new rules will go to a forum July 28 at 7 p.m. at the East Wake Regional Library.
"Something we’d like to look into is the timing restrictions, the lack of a First Amendment exception and the gathering of four or more minors together," said ACLU lawyer Shelagh Kenney.
First of all, if someone is under 18, they do not have those kind of rights. They are children. Second, why does the ACLU want to put the safety of Knightdale residents, both in person and property, under the "rights" of gang members? Oh, that’s right, they’re the ACLU. The law is obviously not burdensome to kids, and most parents do not have issues with the law. At least the ones whose kids are not gang members or trouble makers. The law is not onerous, and parents need to take responsibility for their children.
And notice the first sentance: "The ACLU says it’s ready to go after Knightdale’s crackdown on gang violence." Not exactly a ringing endorsement from WTVD for the ACLU’s position. Certainly not a un-biased report, eh? Perhaps the ACLU could respect the concept of "majority rule." It’s not like the curfew affects those over 18, ie, legal adults. It does not violate the civil rights of parents. It is their responsibility to control their children. If they do not, then it is the communities responsibility.
Awesome job! You might be interested in looking into this.
Stop The ACLU NC State Chapter Blog I think it needs a volunteer if you are interested.
Shocking the ACLU standing up for Gang Violence…. I’m Stunned at this revelation. Good Job!!
Honestly, I can see the curfew thing being a-OK, but the “4 or more people under the age of 18 together in public” thing is a little off-base if the kids are just at the park or doing something else non-illegal. I remember all the time as a kid just walking around with my friends and not doing anything illegal…just walking around, ya know?
Parents shouldn’t be fined if 10 or 11 17 year olds are at the public park playing baseball then decide to walk up to McDonald’s to have some fries. That might actually be a legitimate violation of the parent’s civil rights (the parents are adults, and they are responsible for paying the fine) if the government is forcing them to pay a fine due to activities that are considered normal parts of childhood because the government is scared that any group of more than 4 kids spells trouble.
I got a driver’s license on my 16th birthday and we bummed around ALL THE TIME in public without causing any problems to anyone. That’s illegal in that town now.
Well, I won’t disagree with you on that, Fiesty, I grew up the same way. The problem here is that the Triangle area is having lots of escalating gang related issues, including MS-13. Knightdale is taking a proactive measure to limit the damage being done by gangs and gang wannabee’s.
Well…I grew up in Minneapolis during the Murderapolis days…That still didn’t mean I was engaged in any gang activity or my parents should have to pay $100 for me and my friends to be able to go to the mall together in peace.
If the kids are hanging around and causing a disturbance, that’s one thing. IF they’re shouting obscenities at people, robbing them, or simply loitering, sure…break it up. I don’t like that the police have the right to fine any parent who allows their kids to go out in a big group (which is what my mama told me to do anyway). There are ways to crack down on gangs without needlessly involving people who aren’t involved. The ends don’t justify the means, ya know?