PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A new summer curfew has kicked in for Philly kids and teens. Those 14 to 17 must be off the streets by 10 p.m., and anyone younger must be inside by 9:30.
There are exceptions for minors who are out of the house for a legitimate reason, like work or if they’re with a guardian. The goal is to keep kids safe, off the street and away from violence.
If they are out past curfew and caught by police, they will either be sent home, to a station or to one of the few curfew centers in the area, like the Community Evening Resource Center at Dixon House in South Philadelphia.
Program Director Elisha Richardson said anyone who comes through their doors will be safe and is welcome to be themselves.
“They’re actually able to be a child, a teenager when they come in,” she said. “They enjoy themselves, they’re laughing, they’re playing. They’re not having to worry about taking care of their siblings or what’s going on at home at the moment.”
Teens can play basketball, video games, do homework or just hang out.
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An intake specialist meets with them. Similar to the other staff that are there outside of curfew, they work with the youth to try to provide support.
“Just try to figure out why they’re in violation of curfew and try to connect them back to their families and connect them to different resources, for the youth and for the family as a whole,” she added. “The hope is for the youth to identify where they need support in and how the community and their families can help them so they’re not in violation, and identifying those needs and supporting them going forward.”
The center is open to the community from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every night, and then from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. during the curfew. The curfew runs through the end of September.
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