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Curfew Ordinance Programs

Description of Strategy

Curfew ordinances restrict the hours that minors are permitted on streets or in public places at night. A curfew may help reduce the likelihood that minors will be the victims of criminal acts or become involved in criminal acts during curfew hours, including alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Curfew ordinances may also aid parents and guardians in their responsibility to supervise their children as well as give police officers additional control over juvenile activity taking place after curfew hours (WyPTAC, 2009).

Wyoming does not have a state curfew ordinance, but many municipalities have curfew ordinances in place (State of Wyoming, 2010).

Discussion of Effectiveness

Alcohol

No studies were found that evaluated the effectiveness of curfew ordinances on outcomes related to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

Evidence from research that evaluated the effects of teen curfew on juvenile arrest rates, criminal offense behavior, and victimization does not support the effectiveness of curfew programs (Adams, 2003; Sutphen & Ford, 2001). A systematic review also concluded juvenile curfews were ineffective in reducing crime, but found some evidence that they may reduce vehicle fatalities and arrest rates (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2016).

Tobacco

No studies were found that evaluated the effectiveness of curfew ordinances on outcomes related to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

Prescription & Other Drugs

No studies were found that evaluated the effectiveness of curfew ordinances on outcomes related to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

References

Strategy Description

State of Wyoming Office of Attorney General. (2010). Crime in Wyoming Annual Report. Retrieved September 5, 2012

WyPTAC. (2009). Wyoming’s prevention framework to reduce the misuse of alcohol: Community implementation workbook. Laramie, WY: Wyoming Prevention Technical Assistance Consortium.

Evidence Base

Adams, K. (2003). The Effectiveness of juvenile curfews at crime prevention. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 587(1), 136–159. doi:10.1177/0002716202250944

Sutphen, R. D., & Ford, J. (2001). Effectiveness and enforcement of a teen curfew law. The Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 28, 55.

University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, County Health Rankings and Roadmaps (2017). Juvenile curfews. Retrieved September 25, 2017

Futher Reading

Kline, P. (2009). The impact of juvenile curfew laws. Working Paper, University of California-Berkeley.

McDowell, D., Loftin, C., & Wiersema, B. (2000). The impact of youth curfew laws on juvenile crime rates. Crime and Delinquency, 46, 76-91.