Roanoke curfew center to close

The time: 11 PM.
People are hanging out in downtown Roanoke.
But the city’s curfew prohibits those who are 16 or younger from being here.
So, police will take them *here*—the Juvenile Curfew Center.
Police sought grant money to create the center after crime analysis data showed property crimes committed by juveniles were on the rise.
It also showed the age of violent offenders was getting younger.
The center’s doors opened in an effort to curb crime, and keep juveniles out of the criminal justice system.
Sgt. Daniel Hartman of the Roanoke City Police department says, “if we can keep one person becoming a victim of a crime or keep them from becoming an offender then it’s successful.“
Data shows the center is successful…
In the year prior to its opening, juveniles committed 630 property crimes during curfew hours.
Since the center opened, those crimes went down by 43—to 587.
And, of the 101 juveniles taken to the center for breaking the curfew, only 5 became re-offenders.
The center’s success could come to a stop.
The nearly 40-thousand dollar grant the city received for the center expires Saturday…and the center will close.
Police say they are seeking another grant—and are hopeful it will come through.
Hartman says, “i think it’s a good program i hate to see any good program come to an end ultimately if you don’t have the money to supply that’s what happens.“
While they wait to see if they’ll get another grant…
The Department of Social Services and Police say the center’s success comes through intervention.
Those brought here undergo assessment tests.
Young people are then referred to services that will address issues like anger management and substance abuse.
Then, parents are called to pick up their kids.
Police say the center not only keeps kids accountable—but their parents as well.
Hartman, “the parents we bring them him we talk to them, we sit down with them explain them and if they continue to allow their kid to do these things they can be criminally charged.“
Jim O’Hare, of Social Services, says he’s seen parents and their children undergo positive transformations.
“Some show are great deal of maturity and resolve to change things that they’re going so it’s very rewarding to see.“
While the center’s future remains uncertain, police say they’ll continue to patrol the night for curfew violators.
We will continue to follow this story and let you know whether the grant comes through.
In the meantime, curfew citations will be handled like they were prior to the center’s opening.
That means, the young adults will be taken directly home and not receive any counseling programs.