Tampa City Council Votes to Scrap Proposed Youth Curfew, Citing Community Concerns

The Tampa City Council voted to scrap a proposed citywide youth curfew Thursday, citing concerns from the community that the restriction would not address the root causes of gun violence and could potentially strain relations between police and residents.

Mayor Jane Castor initially called for the curfew following a tragic incident in October where two young individuals, including a 14-year-old, were killed in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood. However, in the months that followed, her enthusiasm for the proposal seemed to diminish, with a city spokesperson describing her as “indifferent” and leaving the decision to the public and City Council.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw acknowledged that the effectiveness of juvenile curfew laws is inconclusive but still believed it could serve as a deterrent and a useful tool for parents. Despite this, the City Council unanimously decided to remove the proposal from their meeting agenda.

City attorneys had presented a draft ordinance for the curfew in November, sparking debates about the identity of the Ybor City neighborhood and concerns about the impact on local businesses. The curfew would have restricted individuals under 16 from public places during specific hours, with violations resulting in warnings and fines.

Community members, including Yvette Lewis, president of the Hillsborough County branch of the NAACP, criticized the proposal as shortsighted and not empowering young people. They expressed concerns about potential unequal enforcement across the city, drawing parallels to past police practices that disproportionately targeted Black individuals.

In response to the community feedback, Tampa’s police and parks and recreation departments announced plans to allocate $280,000 towards expanding youth programming during spring break and the summer to enhance safety for children.

As the City Council voted to reject the curfew, council chairperson Guido Maniscalco emphasized the importance of investing in youth rather than criminalizing them. The decision reflects a shift towards addressing the underlying issues contributing to violence in the community, rather than implementing restrictive measures.