Cincinnati’s curfew plan is a well-meaning attempt at control − but not a workable one. And a dangerous one
Cincinnati Police chief Teresa A. Theetge speaks on police initiative in high crime areas
Cincinnati Police chief Teresa A. Theetge speaks on police initiative in high crime areas
Cincinnati City Council is once again trying to figure out how to deal with the problem of teenagers congregating in large public groups − often late at night − after the recent fatal shooting of a 15-year-old in Over-the-Rhine. The latest idea? A new “curfew center” where police would detain minors until a parent or guardian comes to retrieve them.
It’s a well-meaning attempt at control − but not a workable one. And a dangerous one.
Picture this: A crowd of 100 young people gathers downtown. They range in age from 13 to 19. Some are just hanging out. Others may be drinking, carrying weapons, or dealing drugs. Most aren’t carrying ID. Some will run when police arrive. Others might resist. In the chaos, police are expected to determine who’s a minor, who’s armed, and who just missed the last bus home.
Say an officer tries to detain a 13-year-old, and a 19-year-old steps forward claiming to be his brother. Do they release him? Try to verify that on the spot? All of this unfolds in the middle of a charged, unpredictable crowd that has surrounded the officer.
It’s combustible. It’s dangerous. And it’s setting up police and kids for failure.
We’re dumping society’s problems on the police
Let’s be honest about what’s happening here: This is a complex social problem. It touches poverty, housing instability, school disengagement, trauma, family breakdown, and the availability of guns. It’s not just a policing issue − but we’re dumping it on the police.
And here’s the real problem: Curfews don’t work.
We can pretend this is a bold new strategy, but the evidence says otherwise. An 18-year study of 21 California cities found that youth curfews were either ineffective or made things worse. San Jose and Chicago saw no real progress during the years of aggressive enforcement. Meanwhile, cities without curfews − like New York, Oakland, New Haven, and San Francisco − saw major crime drops in the same period.
Even a study designed to validate curfews ended up showing that youth crime declined faster nationwide than in cities where curfews were enforced.
So let’s ask: What are we trying to accomplish?
We want to prevent another teenager from getting killed in a public assembly. And we want to protect bystanders from getting caught in the chaos. Those are worthy goals. But we won’t reach them by treating symptoms while ignoring causes − or by using law enforcement to fill the gaps left by every other failed system.
Some people say things like, “Where are the parents?” − as if the parents are sitting by the phone, ready to come get them. It’s a fair question, but also a dodge. Some parents are working second shifts. Some are in crisis. Some are disengaged. And some have simply lost control.
Let’s experiment with new approaches instead of recycling failed ones
So let’s start experimenting. Try something we can control and monitor. Pilot late-night access to rec centers or school gyms − not to play basketball in the abstract, but to create structured, staffed, safer spaces with trusted adults, limits, and light. If the teens won’t come − fine. At least we tried. But if it keeps even a handful off the street, that’s worth it.
We could also train unarmed outreach workers to monitor public gathering spots, use social media to anticipate flashpoints, and calmly disperse groups before things escalate. Not everything has to begin with flashing lights and body cams.
But to double down on curfews − an approach with a well-documented failure rate − is not the answer.
Mayor Aftab Pureval says this is an “all-hands-on-deck” moment. That’s exactly right.
But we need to ask: whose hands?
Because if they all belong to law enforcement, then the rest of us − parents, schools, churches, nonprofits, and elected officials − have already let go of the rope.
Dennis Doyle lives in Anderson Township and is a member of the Enquirer Board of Contributors.
