Curfew in Atlanta

Dark fears

Most American parents will have seen a television advertisment which solemnly asks "Do you know where your children are ?" The city of Atlanta has now tacked on an addendum to this familiar question: if you cannot find your children you could face up to 60 days in prison or a fine of $1,000.

This rule followed a couple of nasty blows to the self image of "the city too busy to hate". Late last year the FBI announced that in 1989 Atlanta had ranked first in reported serious crimes —rape, murder and the like — among large American cities. That the murders of a four-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy by teenage gunmen prompted the City Council to act, by imposing a curfew of 11 pm on weekdays and midnight at weekends. Alter these hours those under 17 found on the streets are returned home or detained until their parents pick them up. The parents of frequent offenders are liable to prosecution. Alter almost two months in operation, Atlanta's curfew appears to be popular with a broad coalition of politicians, parents and policemen.