The Reverend John Miles expressed concern about a youth curfew to the Henderson City Council on Monday night.
Miles said that he had read in the paper the the city council was “all for it”. He indicated that he had attempted to contact Candice Cash, the Coble Boulevard resident who is the originator of the proposed ordinance, and would attempt to do so again.
Stating that he wanted to deal with facts, Miles said that parents are concerned about the proposed ordinance.
He indicated a desire to be involved with the project if he could.
Miles stated that the curfew would cause a backlog in juvenile court.
The Reverend also noted that he had read that parents could be charged $500 for violations. Miles claimed that a lot of single parents work second and third shift.
Miles agreed that there are some problems in Vance County. However, he said that he had ridden by the Skateeum on Saturday night several times and did not note any problems. He also noted that Wendy’s, Bojangles, and other locations on Dabney Drive are full of young people on any given night with no problems.
Miles said that the city needs to take its time and make a decision.
“A curfew is not what you think, Mr. Moss,” Miles said, addressing the City Manager.
Miles argued that the curfew would cause confrontations between youth and authority.
The Reverend stressed that he wanted everyone to be treated fairly.
After Miles spoke, Council member Lonnie Davis said that he did not think that anyone on the council had committed to the curfew.
Henderson Mayor Clem Seifert also responded, stating that the process regarding the curfew would have to be “very interactive”.