Local experts and community advocates discuss St. Louis' teen curfew and what can be done to end summer violence

ST. LOUIS — School is out and summer is in full swing, but with that comes gun violence, involving not only adults but teenagers as well.

The city of St. Louis has already imposed a curfew and is trying to give young people more things to do.

There are currently two main curfews:

One concerns city parks: no one is allowed to be in the park between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The other curfew concerns children and adolescents: on Friday and Saturday, they cannot go out into the street without supervision between midnight and 5 a.m. The rest of the week, teenagers cannot go out on the street between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Sharon Williams of St. Louis Moms Demand Action said people can always find a way around curfews.

“I think because we have so many teenagers who are not supervised at night, I don't think a curfew makes much of a difference,” Williams said.

In the current law, there are some exceptions. Teenagers or children can go out after curfew if they are: with a parent, guardian or someone over 21; if they are on or near the sidewalk of their home, provided that they do not create a problem for the police; and when returning home from a school or city sponsored activity, religious activity or workplace, provided that they return directly home and that it is within one hour of the end of the 'activity.

Williams said it was difficult to know what was happening because the teens were planning their activities through social media.

“Often parents, or those who are guardians, have no idea what is planned. So they can get together with elderly people they claim to be or a parent or caregiver for them and that makes it even more difficult,” Williams said.

The biggest question is: do curfews work? Kenya Brumfield Young, an assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice at Saint Louis University, said it's difficult to know exactly how it's applied and the data to track it is scarce.

“But from what is available, this is not the case, for several reasons, one of them often being a change in behavior. So they can go somewhere where the curfews seem different or where there aren't any, and also, these activities don't have limits,” Brumfield-Young said.

She explained that every year, crime increases in the summer for several reasons, one being that young people do not always have a safe and stable home. The city's lack of officers doesn't help either.

“We have a lot of young people who are either sleeping on a couch, or don't have a place to go, or don't have adequate supervision at home for whatever reason. So I go back to the Office of Violence Prevention which has really tried to address some of this problem,” Brumfield-Young said.

On Monday, the city released the latest information on summer youth programs, job opportunities and even invested more funds in recreation centers to keep them open late on weekends.

“But if we don't have effective measures in place for them to be able to do things at the recreation sites, then it's just going to be an open building,” Williams said.

For these alternatives to crime to work, the conversation cannot be limited to adults. Brumfield-Young said teens need a seat at the table.

“Ask them a little bit more about what they want and how they plan to spend time with their friends and things like that, because that's really what it all comes down to,” Brumfield-Young said.

Here is information from St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones' office on programs available this summer:

“The city's Recreation Division offers youth programs including learn-to-swim, dance programs, sports such as basketball, baseball, softball and soccer, and other activities fun like a chess club and movie and game nights.

“For youth ages 13 and older, the city, in partnership with the St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission, is expanding hours and programming at Tandy and Cherokee recreation centers on Fridays and Saturdays between on June 14 and August 24, keeping recreation centers open from 8 p.m. to midnight.

“The summer outdoor pool season began on May 25 and Chambers, Fairground and Marquette pools are now open seven days a week, from noon to 6 p.m. An adult must accompany children 13 and under. Young people aged 15 and over looking for a summer are invited to apply for lifeguard positions.

“Even more summer employment opportunities can be found through the St. Louis Agency for Training and Employment (SLATE) Summer Youth Employment Program. The program provides paid summer employment to city residents ages 14 to 24. Participants work in a variety of clerical and assistant roles with government agencies, libraries, community, for-profit, and non-profit organizations.

“Also this summer, the city's Office of Violence Prevention will continue its monthly kickback community events, which will feature music, food, vendors and community partners who take on conflict resolution and de-escalation of violence. OVP also provides secure storage information and gun locks at the Bounce Events, which take place on the third Saturday of each month. The next two events will take place on June 15 and July 20, respectively, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Barrett Brothers Park and 4731 Virginia Ave.

“The City also wants to highlight the wonderful opportunities for young people ages 0-17 to keep their bodies and minds in shape this summer through the reading and exploration programs offered by the St. Louis Public Library and the Public Library. of St. Louis County. adventure with a variety of activities focused on STEM, art, the outdoors, St. Louis, and reading, and receive a free book when you sign up! »