WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The Warner Robins Police Department is looking to answer the call after concerns about youth violence. Back in February, the department held a public safety town hall to figure out ways to reduce crime.
They received community input and have since thought about solutions to the problem. This week, the police department suggested changing a specific city ordinance to help. However, it wasn't the exact change they were looking for.
For some kids across Houston County, their parents set a standard curfew time.
"Be back before the street lights come on," Quentin Askin said.
"When I got older, in high school, it was be back before 12," Jamari Haynes shared.
Since the 1970s, Warner Robins agreed that youth should be in their homes by midnight. Askin says it's for the best.
"After 12, a lot of things don't go good," he said.
Police say they're noticing that trend, so they asked city council to amend their current curfew that they weren't enforcing.
However, leaders weren't quick to approve the 10:00 p.m. suggested time. During Monday's pre-council meeting, some leaders said 10 p.m. was too early for kids leaving work. They also worried about kids who may be walking home from events.
Leaders felt that it didn't fall in line with closing times for entertainment centers throughout the county.
"We made the best decision to do something reasonable that we can actively keep in practice," Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said.
Council voted to move the time just 30 minutes earlier, so now kids have to be in their homes by 11:30 p.m.
"There are exceptions if they are working. If they are with an adult, a parenting adult, this will not apply to them," Patrick said.
During council comments, Councilman Larry Curtis shared it's for helping prevent crime, and he encourages parents to pay attention to the change.
"It's not us saying we're trying to catch a criminal, we're trying to catch a criminal. It's us trying to keep our children safe, and ensure safety," he said.
Haynes agrees ten was a little early, but says the curfew is a good thing for the county.
"As the world gets more dangerous, I think it would help keep kids safer, so we can make it through the rest of our lives," he shared.
If a minor is seen out by themselves, police will stop them and try to get in contact with their parent so that they can be picked up. In some cases, a guardian could be cited for violating the new code.
The city is also encouraging local businesses to keep the new curfew in mind, and help ensure kids get home at an appropriate hour.