There is no doubt that our children are the future of the Eastern Shore. We must do everything in our power to protect them and ensure they can have a better quality of life than we had. That is why the current conversation in Cambridge on how to keep our youth safe is so important. This week, the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is proud to stand with the overwhelming number of Cambridge residents who attend the packed forum hosted by Mayor Stephen Rideout against the proposed youth curfew drafted by members of the Cambridge City Council.
The Eastern Shore has a long and unfortunately dark history when it comes to curfews. During the 2001 legislative session, the Maryland legislature enacted legislation that allowed Eastern Shore municipalities to enact juvenile curfew ordinances on the condition that independent factual findings showing that there is a local need for a juvenile curfew to be implemented. The current Curfew proposal is being considered without conducting the legally necessary study previously described. Not only is there no evidence to prove that the curfew proposal would do anything to reduce crime, the current plan is illegal under state law.
Another major issue with a curfew is it would be more likely to criminalize all of the youth in Cambridge instead of the intended goal of keeping them safe or out of trouble.
this is by increasing the number of negative interactions between Cambridge police, children, and their families. These interactions would be based on conflict and would occur even when the involved children are not in danger or doing anything wrong.
The other way we can see this curfew criminalizing the youth is through data from other curfews that have been implemented around the country.
statistically speaking, curfews never worked at addressing the goal they set out to accomplish. They are also more likely than not to be enforced disproportionately against children of color. Given the history in Cambridge and trends from other curfews that have been implemented, there is no reason to doubt that the youth of color in Cambridge would also be disportionately targeted by the curfew.
There are better ways for the City of Cambridge to support families and protect the youth than implementing an illegal curfew mirrored after the failed curfew that Prince George’s County attempted. For example, the community is moving towards the implementation of many new initiatives including a free local basketball league, youth clubs, and other activities for children to give them positive influences in their lives.
Several community leaders and business owners who have stepped up to offer programs like boxing, investment in youth centers, and opportunities for employment for children who need an outlet. The Cambridge City Council should be funding and working with these community partners to protect our kids. As well as focusing on addressing the root causes of poverty by bringing good paying jobs and affordable housing to Cambridge.
We encourage the members of the Cambridge City Council to stand with the Residents and Mayor Rideout in opposition to Ordinance 1207 and any other efforts to implement an illegal and ineffective
Claire Bohlen
Community Outreach Chair, Lower Shore Progressive Caucus
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