Proposed changes to Atlanta curfew penalties pass council

ATLANTA - The Atlanta City Council voted Tuesday to change the penalties for parents or guardians of children found violating the city's teen curfew. 

This was one of three measures city leaders were working on to curb violence aimed at and involving the city's youth.

Why is Atlanta looking at changing it curfew?

Tuesday's vote comes after a string of deadly shootings involving young victims such as 16-year-old Bre'Asia Powell, who was killed at a graduation party in the parking lot of an Atlanta high school in late May.

Council member Antonio Lewis told FOX 5 that Powell's death was the last straw that led him to work with council member Keisha Waites on the latest changes to the city's curfew.

"Little girls aren't exempt from Atlanta's violence anymore," Lewis said.

Also on officials' minds are  12-year-old Zyion Charles and 15-year-old Cameron Jackson, who were two of the six people shot in late November on the 17th Street bridge just after their group was removed from the property of Atlantic Station.

Six suspects, including multiple 15-year-olds, have been arrested in connection with their deaths.

Atlanta changes penalties for curfew violation

Earlier this month, a City Council committee adjusted the penalties for parents whose teens were caught breaking curfew. The council voted to adopt those changes on Tuesday to be more about reform and less about penalizing.

"Typically, if caught breaking curfew, there was a penalty. Parents could spend 90 days in jail and face a fine up to $1,000," Lewis said. This new proposal eliminates those consequences. 

The first violation would result in a warning or citation. The second would require the child and his or her parent or guardian to attend a parenting workshop.

"That Includes the Black Male Initiative, and Mothers Against Gun Violence," he explained. "Students and their parent guardian will have to come to one of these programs."

The thought is, if parents work with their students to find productive things to do, they won't have time to get into trouble.

As soon as Mayor Andre Dickens signs off on the newly-passed ordinance, the city will start enforcing these new measures as what Council member Lewis calls an act of tough love.

The council also passed a resolution which urges parents and guardians to not allow unaccompanied minors to be out past curfew.

Atlanta City Council seeks to expand teen curfew

Lewis admits a curfew hasn't always been enforced. 

"I remember growing up and trying to beat it. We've always had a curfew. This paper is about promoting and enforcing in a different kind of way. We removed two provisions," he said during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. "I don't want to fine and jail people for breaking curfew."

The City Council agreed to file a change to its current curfew ordinance to expand the curfew time. It would move the current 11 p.m. curfew up to 8 p.m. on weeknights and 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

"The proposal in November was as a result of the loss of Zyion and Cameron," Waites said. "That original legislation I asked for 7 p.m. curfew. Many people aren’t aware we have an existing city on the books for 11 p.m."

The ordinance would keep the 6 a.m. start for curfew.

Of course, the city offered a litany of exemptions in the current piece of legislation.

Those pushing for the changes hope the faces of the young lives lost will explain the need.

Another change would allow access to jobs for kids as young as 14 with the hope that if they're busy, young people won't have time to get into trouble.

The plan would still include exceptions for work-related, sports, and extracurricular activities.

"God willing we can save some souls out here," Lewis said.

The issue is expected to be addressed at the next council meeting.