"Do you know where your children are?" It's a question that many may remember being broadcast on radios and televisions in an effort to have children off the streets and away from trouble. The City of Atlanta's version will be a robocall and text as officials work "to make the city safer," according to Councilman Antonio Lewis.
Under an updated curfew, children 16 and under would still have to be off the streets by 11:00 at night. Placing penalties including jail time on parents is no longer an issue. "We're trying to help people," says Lewis.
Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Lewis says a young shooting victim "is the reason we changed this curfew."
Young Bre'Asia Powell, age 16, was attending a graduation party on May 28, 2023, when she was shot and killed. It happened around 230 a.m. in the parking lot of Benjamin E. Mays High School. Another 16 year old, identified as Tryque Waller was also shot. Waller is still hospitalized. Two shooting suspects have been arrested. They are identified as 19 year old Willie Dennis and 18 year old Jaquan Withers.
"Her impact on my life and on the City of Atlanta will never go away," is how Councilman Lewis describes Bre'Asia Powell. "She's the reason we changed this curfew." He calls her "a true live hero, a masterful basketball player, a teen leader in the Department of Parks and Rec and an employee for the city during the summer." Lewis adds "Bre'Asia was the best that we have to offer."
There's also a family connection.
If a child age 16 and under is caught, within 60 days, breaking curfew again they and their parents/guardians will be required to attend a mentoring program. Mothers Against Gang Violence, Next Level Boys Academy, Black Men Build, and Black Male Initiative, according to Lewis also "offer mental health check-ins, social services, they're offering the things that we know people need and their offering for the entire family."
Click below to listen to full interview with Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Lewis about the new curfew
Lewis is extremely optimistic saying, "I think our numbers for having young people go through the programs are going to be so low because I think the kids want to go home now. They want a job."