Youth must abide by Fort Meade curfew

By Lisa R. RhodesMay 5, 2011

Youth must abide by Fort Meade curfew
Meade High School junior Christopher Ward, 16, and senior Eric Scott, 18, walk to the Teen Center on Tuesday after school. The Fort Meade curfew states that no person 17 years of age or younger may be in a public place on the installation after curfe... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (May 5, 2011) -- Youths age 17 or younger are not allowed in public places on the installation after post curfew hours.

In an effort to promote youth safety and curb crime on post, the Fort Meade military police are enforcing Policy #69. Otherwise known as the on-post curfew for juveniles, the policy states that no person 17 years of age or younger may be in a public place on the installation after 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; or before 5 a.m.

The exceptions to the policy are minors who are accompanied by a parent or adult guardian, and minors who have written permission from a parent or adult guardian explaining the circumstances for not being home during the curfew hours. The written permission must include the parent or guardian's name, address and phone number for verification by the MPs.

"The policy is an attempt to hold parents responsible," said Russell Wilson, chief criminal investigator for the Fort Meade military police. "Young people have no reason to be out during late hours in the first place."

First-time violators of the policy will be taken by the MPs to the Directorate of Emergency Services where their parents or adult guardians will be notified. The minor and adults will be advised of the policy and the minor returned to the care of the adults.

Repeat offenders will be processed as curfew violators and will be reported in the post's daily MP blotter. Minors who are family members of service members or DoD civilians will be required to appear before the installation's Juvenile Misconduct Review Board.

The MPs also will notify the unit commander and Installation Commander Col. Daniel L. Thomas if the child of an active-duty service member has repeatedly violated the curfew. The violation can have a negative affect on the service member, particularly if there is evidence of misconduct on behalf of the service member.

DES will hold a meeting with the service member and a unit representative to determine if punitive action is necessary. In serious cases, the DES can make a recommendation to the installation commander to bar the minor from Fort Meade or have the family removed from military housing.

The policy is punitive and applies to all service members who reside on post or are assigned to the installation. Repeated violations by minors in a service member's care can result in judicial punishment under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The creation of the curfew policy dates back to last summer when several residential neighborhoods were hit by a rash of larcenies in homes and vehicles that were left unlocked, said Wilson. The military police suspected the activity was due to a group of teens who were out late at night without adult supervision.

Giovanni Sanchez, 14, a Meade High freshman residing in Patriot Ridge, said the curfew is a good idea for middle school students. He said that high school students, who are more mature, have active social lives and should be allowed a later curfew.

Wilson said it is too early to tell whether the curfew has been effective. Its enforcement during the summer will determine what impact, if any, the curfew has on the behavior of youths and the safety of the Fort Meade community, he said.

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