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Decatur Police announce enhanced curfew enforcement to battle juvenile gun violence

By Lindsay Romano Jun 14, 2023 | 5:04 PM

June 14, 2023 – The Decatur Police Department plans to increase its curfew enforcement to help stem a wave of gun violence involving juveniles.

“Gun violence is a problem in our country and Decatur hasn’t been spared from any of it” said Decatur Police Chief Shane Brandel. “Just as sad as the gun violence we have experienced, is the number of juveniles that are involved in these offenses as both victims and suspects.”

With the initiative, which takes effect immediately, the Decatur Police Department will enhance its enforcement of curfew violations, focusing on areas that are plagued by gun violence and those juveniles who are known to be involved in gun violence. Brandel said they will also focus on situations known to produce gun violence, such as pop-up parties and events that spill into parking lots after their conclusion.

The curfew enforcement is not new. It was adopted by the Decatur City Council in 2012. That curfew is from 11 pm to 6 am Sunday through Thursday and Midnight to 6 am on Friday and Saturday. However, the way they are handling the ordinance will be new. Previous enforcement efforts generally returned the juvenile to their parents or guardians with very few citations issued. This enforcement will utilize what Brandel calls the full power of the ordinance and hold accountable, not only the juvenile but the parent or guardian and in some cases, the operator of the establishment where teens were located.

Citations are a minimum of $250 with a maximum of $500 per offense. Establishments that are also found to be in violation of the ordinance may also be in danger of losing certain operating licenses on top of being issued a citation.

According to the Decatur police, in 2022, 19% of people shot in Decatur were juveniles in Decatur, 43% of which occurred after 10 pm. In 2023, 24% of people shot in Decatur were juveniles, with 34% occurring after 10 pm. In 2022, 25 juveniles were arrested for gun offenses in Decatur, and 23 so far this year.

Brandel added that when police detain a juvenile in a gun offense, they are limited in what they can do with the suspect due to juvenile offender laws. Brandel described a shooting incident recently that involved three juveniles. All three were arrested and all three had weapons in their possession. Police, however, were unable to detain the three teens due to the lack of beds available in any state juvenile detention centers.

“These are kids out shooting people and we just turn them right back over [to their guardians] with no supervision” Brandel said.

Brandel said the Decatur Police are working with Macon County Probation and the judges in Macon County to try to develop a program that would allow the Police to release juvenile suspects on electronic monitoring in gun violence cases when possible.

“We are hoping the judges agree with that stance in those extreme cases. If they don’t, then I guess I will have a problem with that and I will have a conversation if it occurs” Brandel said.

In addition to enhanced enforcement, the Decatur Police are working with the city as well as community organizations that are designed to keep at-risk kids from dangerous situations and making bad decisions. Those organizations include the Boys and Girls Club, Caring Black Men, Sista Girls, Salvation Army, Shemilah Outreach, and Old Kings Orchard.

Jeffrey Perkins, President and Founder of Caring Black Men said his organization looks to be proactive rather than reactive. “We get to them early-talk to them about responsibility- accountability” Perkins said. “But what I see is a self-hatred and anger and a false sense of what manhood is all about-they think carrying that pistol on them is what gives them strength.”

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe said the City of Decatur has committed one million dollars to help stop gun violence in the city, but more needs to be done.

“Since I have been mayor, I have sat down with mom’s who’s children who have been killed by gunfire. I have been to candlelight vigils, balloon launches, marches for peace, calls for change, and news conferences” Moore said. “Today I am calling on parents to do your job. Be the parent. Maybe you can’t keep your 20 year old from going to all night parties, but you damn sure ought to be able to keep your 14 year old in the house at 1am. We need your help to save the lives of these kids.”

Brandel reiterated that this enforcement isn’t about fines. “This is about saving kids lives” said Brandel. “If we don’t do something, then what am I even doing here. You might as well replace me. Because I won’t be doing my job if im not doing something. I am going to do what I am sworn to do.”

To see the curfew ordinance, click HERE.