Bricktown curfew?
Bricktown curfew law scheduled for review
By Steve Lackmeyer
The Oklahoman
A new Bricktown curfew ordinance will be considered in two weeks by the Oklahoma City Council in response to requests by the entertainment district's merchants and developers that teens not be allowed to visit after 11 p.m.
City Manager Jim Couch told the council they will be asked to determine the area to be covered by the curfew, and whether it should be effective seasonally or year-round.
The Bricktown Association, representing more than 60 merchants and property owners, unanimously voted last week to request an 11 p.m. curfew to deal with unruly teens late at night. Merchants' worst fears were realized last month when two people were injured in three different shootings after midnight. Two people, ages 14 and 17, were arrested in the attacks.
"We do know there are issues down there," Couch said. "It's very critical in my mind that Bricktown be safe, and it be perceived as being safe."
Police already were placing extra officers on the streets before the July 30 shootings, and had instituted temporary road blocks after 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays to prevent cruising. Police Chief Bill Citty welcomes the possibility of lowering the curfew, which is now at 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays citywide.
"It gives officers another tool to deal with the activities of juveniles who really don't have any place to go to in Bricktown other than the streets," Citty said. "This allows officers to really tell juveniles there is nothing for them to do this late at night if you're not over 21."
Ward 7 Councilwoman Willa Johnson said Bricktown merchants and developers aren't without blame for the recent spike in violence. She recalled police scaled back their presence in the entertainment district in response to merchants and club owners who felt they were too visible.
"It could have been prevented, I believe, if they had allowed the police presence to stay in place," Johnson said.
Citty said Tuesday merchants and developers have been cooperative with recent police efforts.
"We've all worked together closely and came to some answers on how to ensure the safety of the public in Bricktown without hurting business for merchants," Citty said.
Johnson, whose Ward 7 includes Bricktown, also worried about how a Bricktown curfew might be enforced.
"We need to be very, very careful in how we craft these laws and enforce these curfews," Johnson said. "It could appear that some folks are being looked at very carefully while others are not."
Bricktown Association Chairman Jim Cowan said he would prefer to see a new curfew enforced throughout the year.
"If you tell people you can't come down here in the summer, but you can other times of the year, that's defeating the purpose of putting it in place at all. You might as well make it year-round and say these folks don't need to be out on the streets whether it's Christmastime or summertime after 11 p.m."
Cowan applauded city staff's quick response.
"I don't think it can happen quick enough," Cowan said. "It needs to be put in place as soon as it's legally possible."
Originally Posted by Karried
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