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After teen shooting deaths, curfew laws are front and center

Macon and Warner Robins both have a 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew for teens.

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — There have been recent shootings in Bibb and Houston where teenagers have died. Some have happened in the early morning hours like 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. 

Over the weekend, a 17-year-old was shot and killed in the parking lot near Planet Fitness on Tom Hill Sr. Boulevard in Macon. Last Friday, a 16-year-old was shot and taken to the hospital in Warner Robins after an ambush

During those hours, teens aren't supposed to be out during those times. 

Warner Robins Police Captain Lee Van Osdol says when it gets warmer, more teens are out and hang out in various parts of town. 

"In city parks in general, we've had a couple of large crowds show up at Ferguson Park which is off Elberta Road. We've had reports of potential large crowds at Simpson Park and Peavy Park," Van Osdol said.

He says during the daytime, they have officers patrolling the parks, and teens are allowed to hang out during daylight hours. But there can be problems too. 

"Nowadays we have found where we large groups congregate the chances of problems seem to increase because there is almost always weapons something in there somewhere," Van Osdol said. 

In Warner Robins, anyone under the age of 17 can't be out between midnight and 5 a.m., unless they have a reason like work or a school event. 

In Macon-Bibb County, the law says anyone under the age of 16 can't be out between midnight and 5 a.m.

In February, we reported the city of Centerville updated their curfew hours to 10 p.m. every day for anyone under 18 years old. Van Osdol says parents can face consequences too. 

"Aunt, uncle, whoever's got the legal responsibility for this child, they can be held liable if they're allowing this child to be out roaming the street and there's not a legitimate reason," Van Osdol said. 

He hopes the community will help keep an eye on teens who are out past midnight and let law enforcement know. 

"We need to get their involvement because we can enforce curfew violations all we want. If we don't get the buy-in from the community and the family members and things like that, it's not going to stop," Van Osdol said.

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