Montgomery County lawmakers tabled the youth curfew and anti-loitering bills heavily debated among elected officials and residents the last several months. Proposed by County Executive Ike Leggett in response to a gang-initiated stabbing in Silver Spring the weekend of July 4, the curfew bill would prohibit youth under age 18 from staying in public after 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday nights and midnight on weekends. Montgomery County Police have called the measure a necessary tool for fighting crime.
Six of nine County Council members opted to table the bill Tuesday rather than vote it down to allow more time to observe whether a curfew is necessary.
An increased police presence in crime hotspots like downtown Silver Spring decreased crime rates without the help of a curfew, Councilman Hans Riemer, D-at large, pointed out.
“What is the additional benefit for public safety we would get from a curfew?” he asked. “Until we have legitimate safety concerns, until we feel like Silver Spring is not a safe place for our kids to go out … the jury should remain out.”
(10-27-11)
