Fort Worth council members want more time to discuss curfew extension

The Fort Worth City Council decided Tuesday to continue a discussion about whether to extend a curfew for minors.

The city is nearing the end of a three-year curfew that prohibits children 17 and younger from being in public places from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

State law requires that the ordinance be reviewed and renewed every three years. The ordinance will expire Jan. 14 without action from the council. It was first adopted in 1994.

Police Lt. Brian Clouse said police issued 120 citations in the last three years. He said the curfew is a “valuable tool” for law enforcement dealing with minor related issues. Violations carry a $500 fine for the minor or their parent or guardian.

But council member Chris Nettles said the city needs to make sure people are aware of the curfew.

“You need to get that information out into the neighborhoods,” he said.

Council member Gyna Bivens also said she wanted to wait.

“’I want to connect with stakeholders,” she said.

A City Council report states there have been 48 curfew filings the past two years, with the majority going to 15- and 16-year-olds in the north side, south side, south Fort Worth and far north Fort Worth.