Curfews Could Be Legal Under Certain Circumstances

The age old "curfew" topic came up again with the New Bedford City Council. On the surface, I would tend to agree that curfews, in general, can violate one's basic rights. However, it's also my belief, if you exempt a very broad range of legitimate late-night conduct, it's more likely to be legally permissible. So let's get very specific. If a local curfew was asserted to reduce gang crime, promote safety of people from gangs (whether the shooter or victim) and encourage parental responsibility, it might pass muster.

It would be a definite plus for law enforcement and the community, if it's written up specifically as an order to lower gang crime, instead of a curfew. It's a different twist on an antiquated idea.