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Byram board debates curfew, police warn enforcement and juvenile constraints
Summary
Board members and police discussed a possible curfew for a problem area; police cautioned that juvenile curfews create specific custody and enforcement constraints while some members urged beefed-up patrols and temporary, targeted measures instead of a broad curfew.
The board opened a sustained discussion about whether to adopt a curfew to address repeated trouble in a localized area. Several members said they were seeking concrete options to make constituents feel safer; police staff said enforcement raises legal and logistical issues, especially for juveniles.
Police staff explained that for juveniles "when you pick them up, if they're juvenile and they're out past curfew...you have to put them in an area where they're free to leave," noting officers must remain with the juvenile until a responsible adult can be located and that custody and holding rules limit enforcement options. Some board members said they did not support a general curfew; one member said, "I do not support a curfew for neither children juveniles nor adults," and urged alternative, targeted strategies including increased patrols and neighborhood-watch coordination.
The board agreed to have police leadership talk to neighboring jurisdictions that have tried curfew measures and to return with options tailored to the city's legal constraints and specific hot spots rather than enact a citywide curfew immediately.
