Fort Worth Council To Hear From Public On Teen Curfew Ordinance

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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Should kids in Fort Worth continue to have a nightly curfew? The Fort Worth City Council will be addressing that very topic at a public hearing tonight.

Fort Worth has had a curfew ordinance since 1996. When it was enacted proponents said it would reduce crime by keeping youthful law breakers off the street and also prevent their peers from falling victim to crime.

Currently the ordinance, which is set to expire in February, requires kids under 17 years of age to be off the streets by 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and by midnight on Friday and Saturday.

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While city's can enact the ordinances, state law requires that the curfews be renewed every three years.

Tonight will be the first of two opportunities for citizens to voice their opinions. The city council meeting begins at 7 p.m. and is held at City Hall located at 1000 Throckmorton Street.

The second public hearing will be held on January 24 and the council will vote on the renewal that same day.