A group of teenagers walking home from a South Miami high school concur that “It’s totally retarded!” to impose a curfew policy on Miami-Dade teenagers. The curfew becomes effective May 1.

These teenagers believe that the imposition doesn’t make sense. With the new curfew, county teenagers up to 17 years old will be prohibited from being on the streets after 11 p.m. on week-nights, and after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Teens seen on the streets after these times, unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or an adult over 21, could be cited and removed by the police. To ensure that parents comply with the curfew, they could pay a fine up to $500 if their teenage son or daughter breaks the curfew over four times.

Shequia Jasper, who turned 16 on April 19, said that she has no problem with weeknight curfews, but “midnight on weekends is a stretch. That means we can’t go to parties or even a late movie on Friday and Saturday nights.” However, her mom Diedre disagrees. “I welcome the curfew, especially on weekends. It will help keep our kids from possible trouble on weekends. Kids have no idea how worrisome it is for parents when they are out late. We are stressed just waiting for them to come home safe.”

Exceptions to the curfew relates to teens attending a legitimate event at their school, or returning from a job which requires them to work the night shift. However, in these cases, the school event and job must be verified.

City of Miami Commissioner, Richard Dunn, who replaced embattled former commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, is a strong proponent of the curfew. Dunn is particularly concerned about various acts of violence that have impacted youth in the Liberty City and Overtown communities of his Miami district.

Teens who violate the curfew are subject to being stopped, questioned, and if there is no justification for them to be on the streets they could receive a civil citation.

Those cited will be taken to a police station and their parents or legal guardians called to pick them up. If parents or guardians cannot be reached the teen will be escorted home by the police. A Miami police said teenagers will not be arrested unless, for example, they are found with drugs or illegal weapons.

The officer also indicated that reports of the citations will be made to the Department of Children and Families, and after the third citation, representatives of DCF will meet with the teen’s parents or guardians to discuss the situation. If the teen receives a fourth citation, the parent or guardian is subject to pay a fine up to $500.

Lynda Mossop a Miami City social worker, while believing that the curfew has positive elements, said it could also create problems and confusion. “For it to be effective, parents and guardians must cooperate, but so many parents work late nights, they cannot ensure their kids are home. This means the percentage of teens cited for breaking the curfew could be extremely high.”

According to reports a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union said there are concerns the curfew could affect a person's constitutional rights to privacy and freedom of movement. Moreover, since the youth will be subject to law enforcement measures, the curfew would criminalize normal behavior.

Mossop doubts if the curfew will have tenure, as the Florida Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that similar youth curfews in places like Tampa were unconstitutional.