OXFORD — Oxford Police Chief Joey East has asked the Board of Aldermen for a curfew of 10 p.m. for teens under 16 years old, unless they have adult supervision or are working.
“It’s my job to bring you all these options,” East told the board. “I have in here 10 p.m. You may want 11 p.m. Some places have it earlier on the week days and later on weekends … Some areas have it restricted to their downtown. It’s whatever you all decide.
“We aren’t trying to have martial law for teenagers,” East said. “But if it’s past 11 p.m. and they’re hanging out on the Square, it’s time for them to go home.”
East said when he was young, he and his friends often hung out on the downtown Square at night, but he added that that was a different time.
“There were two bars then,” he said. “That Square is a natural draw for them because it’s where the people are.”
East said the curfew opens up a line of communication between youths and officers.
“If we see a bunch of kids hanging out, we can talk to them and find out what they’re up to, where they’re headed and call their parents if need be,” East said. “It’s for their safety.”
