Let parents be parents

Almost every student has had a curfew at some time in his or her life. Parents decided kids were simply not old enough to be out past a certain time. So they did what parents are supposed to do. They set limits. \nFor those of us who did not have a curfew, we probably ended up going home when all of your friends had to be home. With or without a curfew, it was up to your parents when you came walking in the door.\nIf they trusted you more, or if you were more mature, or even if they were just "cool" parents, you had a later curfew.\nCity-imposed curfews are not a new phenomenon. They have existed for years. Minors (those younger than 18) have to be home at a certain time. \nIn Bloomington, curfew is 11 p.m. every day for people 14 and under. For people aged 15-17 years, curfew is 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday. \nThe exceptions to the rule are minors accompanied by their parent or a person designated by their parent, or if they are going to a religious or school function.\nIn Bloomington, if you are caught out after curfew, the penalty is usually determined by the probation office, and rarely results in an arrest.\nIn Indianapolis, this has not been the case. The Indianapolis Wire reports said that 11 people were arrested last week for curfew violations in Indianapolis by the Indianapolis Police Department.\nThe Indiana Civil Liberties Union has brought two lawsuits against the state to challenge the constitutionality of the curfew laws. The lawsuits also addressed the issues of alleged mandatory urine and Breathalyzer tests. Although both lawsuits were denied, they have recently been appealed.\nWith good reason. It should not be up to the Indianapolis police to determine when someone, despite his or her age, should be at home. Although their intentions are noble and set in place to prevent crime, it is unfair to punish the whole minor population for the acts of a few children who cause trouble.\n