Winston-Salem’s youth curfew will expire next week, after leaders rejected an effort to extend it by another year.
Police Chief William Penn told council members at Monday’s meeting the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew had led to a noticeable drop in youth crime.
“No youth injured by violent crime, no traffic accidents, no teen takeovers, no issues on the 4th of July, which I couldn't say last year," he said.
But community members who spoke out against the ordinance said the evidence wasn’t compelling enough to justify extension.
“Winston PD's data identified 13 incidents during the curfew period," said resident Marilyn Lacunza. That is not evidence that thousands of young people need to be subjected to a citywide restriction.”
The council ultimately voted 6-2 against the extension, with Robert Clark and Annette Scippio casting the only yes votes. The curfew will expire Oct. 12.