Fresno police begin enforcing youth curfew under 'Safe Summer Operation'

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno police are beginning enforcement of a citywide youth curfew as part of a new effort aimed at reducing late-night crime during the summer months.

For the first time in years, officers will actively enforce the curfew, which runs from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for anyone under 18 who is outside without an adult. The initiative is part of what police are calling their "Safe Summer Operation."
Deputy Chief Rob Beckwith said the goal is to keep teens safe during hours when they are more vulnerable.

"We want to keep our kids safe there's not a lot of productive things that happened for teenagers late at night. They become more prone to being victims of crime," Beckwith said.

Under the enforcement plan, officers who encounter minors out past curfew will make contact with both the teen and their parent or guardian.

"What the officers are going to be doing is they are going to be contacting those juveniles they're going to be contacting the parent and either the parent will be coming to pick up the child or the Officer, if need be, will be transporting the child to their residence," Beckwith said.

Police say the effort comes as warmer temperatures typically bring increased late-night activity, which can coincide with a rise in crime.

In April, officers responded to two stabbings in one night in high-traffic areas, one near Shaw and the other at River Park, both involving teens.

Along with enforcing the curfew, Fresno police say residents can expect a heightened law enforcement presence, including more patrol units, motor officers and unmarked vehicles throughout the city.

"We look around the nation, the country, and we see some of these things that have happened with teen takeovers in various cities, so we pay attention to that here too in Fresno," Beckwith said.

At River Park, a curfew policy is already familiar. The shopping center has long broadcast reminders in the evening.

During the summer, they adjust private security based on activity levels. Officials there say teen gatherings remain a concern.

"Especially the younger ones who aren't driving they just when they're here, we push them and then they go there we push them, we just keep tossing them around so to know there's a curfew now that's being enforced it'll help law enforcement back that better," said Tracy Kashin of River Park.

Police emphasized the curfew will not be enforced as a sweeping operation. Instead, officers will handle situations individually.

"We're going to use common sense when it comes to this curfew. This is not a blanket approach to kids that are out in the evening time," Beckwith said.

Beckwith said parents will primarily face consequences if their child violates the curfew.

The initiative will remain in place for at least the next several weeks before reassessment.

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