Daytime Curfew (Rock Springs, WY)
2008-10-22

By D. E. Herrod, B.Ed.E, M.Div

Police Chief Mike Lowell and the city attorney’s office have proposed a daytime curfew for minors. The proposed ordinance would ban those under 18 from the city streets during school hours with only a few exceptions. Wyoming already has truancy laws and schools are required to hire enforcement laws. Further, homeschoolers and private schools are not required to keep the same schedule as public schools. (1) Those cited with violating the ordinance could face up to six months in jail and a $750 fine. (2)

The ordinance seems reactionary and poorly thought out. What happens when a homeschool or private school student who is legitimately seen in public during school hours or adults who look under age? According to Lowell, homeschoolers would be required to have a city issued ID. Personally, it can is annoying to be over the age of 18 and stopped by law enforcement officials because you look under age. Really, I do not think this law would prevent truancy but rather infringe on civil rights.

Sources:

1. HSDLA, Daytime Curfew [Available on-line: http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/wy/200808120.asp, last accessed 22 October 2008].

2. Wyoming Tribune Eagle Rock Springs Considers Curfew During School Hours [Available on-line: http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2008/07/30/news/17local_07-30-08.txt ; last accessed 22 October 2008].