New Kansas City Curfew for Teens

August 24, 2011

Have you heard? There is a new curfew in town, and it will affect those of you under the age of 18. From Memorial Day to the last week in September, you cannot be in any of the five entertainment districts in Kansas City, MO (Zona Rosa, the Country Club Plaza, Westport, Power and Light district, and the 18th and Vine jazz district) any time after 9 p.m. unless accompanied by a parent. Did you know that there is a new citywide, seasonal curfew too? During the summer, anyone who is 15 years old and younger needs to be in by 10 p.m., and 16 or 17 year olds must be in by 11 p.m.

While many teenagers and even parents are upset by this decision, there are, of course, two sides to every story. This situation came to the City Council’s attention after a gang shooting at the Country Club Plaza injured three teens earlier this month. Many adults wonder why kids are even in these entertainment districts after 9 p.m.; however, others say that these kids do not have that much money, so they are there to do something cheap. Or, in beautiful areas like the Country Club Plaza, they have maybe gone to a movie on a beautiful night and just want to walk around and look at the scenery.

Some of these districts, like Westport and Power and Light District, already limit the opportunity of minors to enter after 9 p.m. because the businesses there are mainly bars. Places like Zona Rosa and the Country Club Plaza, though, are appealing to a younger crowd; it is free to walk around and hang out with friends in these places, which is a benefit for many of you with a limited income as a teen. Many people are concerned now that teens are not allowed in these entertainment districts, they will go somewhere else instead of going home, which could lead to loss of money for the businesses. On the other hand, some business owners say they expect to gain more business from adults now that they will not be "overrun" by teens.

For now, it seems that many vocal adults are all over the board on this issue, but what’s missing are the voices from those it affects the most—the teens. So, teens, what do you think? Let us know below!

And if you feel passionate about the issue of curfews or other government-enforced rules, you might be interested in reading some of these books: 

• Delirium by Lauren Oliver
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
• 1984 George Orwell
• Matched by Ally Condie

~Kirstie M.
Parkville Branch