Gretna tables juvenile curfew

By John Crane

Published: September 8, 2008

GRETNA — After almost an hour of strong debate from local residents, Gretna Town Council decided Monday night to table its proposal for an earlier juvenile curfew.

Councilman Michael L. Bond proposed tabling the proposal so council members can talk about the curfew with Gretna Police Chief David Wilkes.

But before council tabled the issue, residents questioned the need for moving the curfew for those under 18 from midnight to 11 p.m.

“If we have a curfew now that’s working … why fix something that’s not broke?” resident James Lewis asked.

Parents should be more responsible for their children, he said.

“If my child is doing something in your town he shouldn’t be doing, shouldn’t I be held responsible?” Lewis added.

The Rev. Kell Stone, pastor of Gospel Tabernacle Church in Gretna, said he wanted a more clear rationale for the change.

He said a stricter juvenile curfew would not benefit the community if nothing is given to the teenagers in return.

“We’re taking everything from them but not giving them nothing,” Stone said. “We’re kind of making them prisoners in their own town.”

Gretna’s curfew lasts until 6 a.m.

Town Manager David Lilly said there are instances of teenagers out at 2 or 3 a.m. without supervision because their parents work third shift.

Wilkes had requested the change, Lilly said, adding there have been several instances of vandalism late at night.

Businesses are closed before 11 p.m. and school sports games are usually over by 9:30 p.m., which means there is little reason for teenagers to be out after 11 at night, he said.

Gretna Police Officer Steve Wilkerson said very few teenagers have been picked up under the midnight curfew that started about a year ago. Teens spotted in town after hours and questioned will not be apprehended if they give good reason for being out, he said.

Exceptions include teens leaving a job or accompanied by an adult guardian. Other exemptions include those attending a school, religious or other recreational activity supervised by adults.

Juveniles caught violating curfew are issued a summons and must bring a parent to their court appearance, Wilkerson said.

Contact John R. Crane at or (434) 791-7986.