Politics & Government
Teen Curfew Gets Mixed Reaction in Rockville
A proposed curfew wouldn't apply in the city, but still could hurt business, owners say.
On the streets of Rockville, there is mixed reaction to a proposed Montgomery County curfew, even if the City of Rockville isn't in the mix.
While the curfew would apply in unincorporated Rockville, the City of Rockville is one of eight municipalities where the curfew would not apply. Gaithersburg, Garrett Park, Kensington, Laytonsville, Poolesville, Somerset, and Washington Grove are the others.
The curfew would prohibit anyone 17-and-under from being out between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on weeknights and midnight and 5 a.m. on weekends.
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County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) introduced the legislation in July in response to , including a July 1 melee between youth gangs.
Rockville city officials have given no indication that they are considering a curfew, but some residents believe what's good for the county is good for the city.
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“I just think that no under-18-year-old belongs outside their home after 11 o’clock,” said Rockville resident Raza Zaidi. “They should be either in bed or reading a book or doing something constructive.”
Not everyone agrees.
“I think it’s too early,” Judy Sneiderman, of Rockville, said of the 11 p.m. curfew. “I think kids should be allowed to be out having experiences and meeting one another.”
Montgomery County Councilman Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg is not convinced a curfew is the way to go.
“The council approved $2.4 million in additional funding in order to add 28 police officers to the Silver Spring District,” said Andrews, who chairs the council's Public Safety Committee and represents Rockville. “Targeting resources will likely help and work better than a countywide curfew.”
Teens in the county are not the only ones who would be impacted by a curfew. Even without a city curfew, Rockville businesses worry that they could feel the effects.
“We support local live music,” said Marquis Evans, manager of in Rockville Town Square. “We start at 10 and go until 1 or 2 a.m. It’s not unusual to have a group of kids that includes 17-year olds here to listen to the music and dance. We’ve been doing it for five years. We’ve never had a problem. It’s an important part of our business.”
Jennifer Kaye, owner of , agreed.
“Our events go from 8 to midnight," Kaye said. "By the time their parents come and they take the Metro or drive themselves home it's after 12:30."
"iParties" for rising high school freshmen through seniors, represent "a significant party of our business," Kaye said. The last one, earlier this month, drew more than 1,700 RSVPs on Facebook.
"There's nothing for these kids to do otherwise and we offer something safe and fun," Kaye said.
With a curfew, Kaye said, "responsible teens are being penalized" for the bad behavior of others.
"The parent is the best one to judge whether or not their child should be out late," she said. "It should not be up to some other universal governing body to decide."
County , creating a website and Facebook campaign against the curfew proposal. A council vote is expected to take place in October.
