Raleigh considering a youth curfew. Here's how it works in Charlotte, Winston-Salem, elsewhere

Raleigh leaders have begun to discuss whether a curfew for people under 18 could be implemented in the capital city.

The conversation comes as cities around North Carolina are already using similar rules. Winston-Salem police, for example, announced on July 6 the first arrest tied to the city's new Youth Protection Ordinance.

Police say a 15-year-old was arrested after allegedly breaking into a vehicle in the wee hours of July 3 while carrying a stolen firearm. In addition to breaking and entering and larceny, the teen was served a juvenile petition for the offense of "violation of the youth protection ordinance." The teen's 43-year-old mother was also cited with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The citation marked the first enforcement of Winston-Salem's ordinance, which took effect last month and generally prohibits minors from being in public after 10 p.m.

In a statement to WRAL News, Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn said communities across the country are struggling with late-night gatherings involving unsupervised teens.

"Across the country, we have seen the dangers associated with teen takeovers and unsupervised youth late at night, and many neighboring communities are now considering similar ordinances," Penn said.

Under Winston-Salem's ordinance, anyone 17 and younger out in public between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. can be considered a delinquent. There are consequences, too, for parents or guardians who allow young people to be out during those hours and for businesses that allow them to remain between those hours.

The discussion is expanding beyond Winston-Salem.

Charlotte and Fayetteville are among the cities who already use similar policies.

In Charlotte last month, police officers broke up a gathering of more than 200 teens at Romare Bearden Park, arrresting 23 people under the age of 18 and issuing several curfew violations. Thirteen parents were cited with contributing to the delinquency of a minor in connection to that incident.

Charlotte-Mecklenberg Chief of Police Estella D. Patterson said, "The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has a zero‑tolerance for criminal activity, including violations of the Youth Protection Ordinance. When juveniles violate this ordinance, we intend to hold them and their parents accountable."

In Fayetteville, people 16 years old and younger can't be out in public from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day. There are exceptions for teenagers accompanied by a parent, or those on their way to or from a job. Parents of curfew violators face a misdemeanor charge and a $500 fine. 

After the town of Nashville imposed a curfew to address a surge of disturbances, car break-ins and shootings, Police chief Caleb Shockley reported a noticeable decrease in late-night disturbances.

Nashville's curfew establishes different time restrictions based on age. Individuals younger than 13 are required to be home between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. For those aged 16 and 17, the curfew is in effect from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Raleigh officials are now debating whether a youth curfew could improve public safety.

During this week's Raleigh City Council meeting, Police Chief Rico Boyce said he supported exploring a youth curfew as one tool to help address juvenile crime and hold young people accountable.

Some youth restrictions already exist in Raleigh.

At Crabtree Valley Mall, visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult during designated weekend hours.

Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell expressed some hesitation about adopting a citywide curfew during the council discussion, worried about how to draft a curfew that doesn't violate civil or First Amendment rights, including the right to assemble.

“It’s my understanding that the fastest we can move on a curfew in terms of something more robust is really August,” explained Cowell, “Our DA office has to draft it because it is about rights and etc.”

If city leaders move forward, Raleigh would join a growing list of North Carolina communities considering youth curfews as officials balance public safety concerns with questions about enforcement and effectiveness.