Regional Australian town to introduce 10pm curfew for kids

Remember when you judged when you had to be home by the setting off the sun, the time on your watch or by the flickering of the streetlights. This is when after a day of school you had run down to the local park with your friends to play on the equipment, trade marbles or use chalk to draw up the perfect hopscotch squares. Parents knew where you were and told you what time to be home for dinner.

We certainly live in a different world today. With the introduction of mobile phones, we can monitor where our kids and grandkids are easily. We can always give them a text or call to check on them because they always have their mobile phones on them. Before these new technologies kids had to be home at a certain time or run the risk of being grounded or losing privileges. Today’s children are able to stay out later than ever before.

There is plan to introduce a 10pm curfew for the youth of Townsville, a regional Australian town in North Queensland. The proposed plan was put forward as a solution for youth crime in the region.

Politician Tim Nicholls, who announced the policy told Nine News that “the Townsville community is crying out for action and leadership on this issue and is sick to death of these young criminals running amok with impunity,”

‘Operation Townsville Safe Street’ will have a trial run of six-months and will see children under 16 banned from being on the streets after 10pm without adult supervision. Any child out past 10pm will be detained and held in emergency accommodation by the police. Police will contact parents and guardians to come and collect their children.

“The shelter will be staffed with a counsellor and nurse to ensure the wellbeing of the child, while ensuring the community is protected,” Mr Nicholls explained to Nine News.

What do you think of this operation? Is this taking it too far? When did you stay out until when you were young? Do you the parents of today should be more responsible for their children staying out late?