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Students and residents urge commissioners to abandon juvenile curfew; board signals willingness to revisit ordinance after public backlash
Summary
High school students and community members told the board a proposed juvenile curfew would increase fear and hardship—particularly for Latino families—and the board said it will revisit the recently enacted juvenile ordinance after community meetings and legal review.
Multiple students and community advocates used the meeting’s open‑comment period to urge the board to oppose or revise a prospective juvenile curfew and to address community fear related to immigration enforcement.
Keystone High School student Bodie Torbeck told commissioners the curfew ‘‘is not only unnecessary but dangerous for students’’ and warned it could push young people to speed or drink and drive to avoid being cited. Mario Mercado, speaking for Hispanic students at Teton High School, said the proposal would heighten fear among immigrant families and make it harder for students to attend school or work: "This will just bring more fear into our community," he said.
Brent Schindler, a local teacher, delivered 44 letters from students expressing mixed views and urged the commission to involve youth in a mayor’s youth advisory committee rather than imposing time restrictions. Following public input, commissioners acknowledged community concerns and noted earlier outreach meetings with schools, Family Safety Network and Hispanic Resource Center. The board said it would pursue additional public engagement and legal review before moving forward on juvenile‑curfew enforcement.
Separately, the board acknowledged public criticism of a juvenile curfew ordinance that was enacted earlier this month, with prosecutors and staff confirming the ordinance is in effect but commissioners agreeing to revisit public outreach and possible amendments. A county attorney advised the board that the ordinance is currently in effect under county code and that the board may amend or repeal the code in a future meeting; commissioners discussed bringing a repeal or revision forward so community input can inform a revised draft.
Provenance: Student comments and public testimony during open mic (SEG 259–431); later commissioners’ discussion and legal advice on juvenile ordinance effectiveness and process (SEG 5938–6131).
Next steps: Commissioners said they will reopen public engagement on juvenile policy, consult with the prosecutor’s office and consider revisions or repeal of the recently enacted language to ensure better community outreach and legal robustness before taking further enforcement steps.
