Crowley Police conduct curfew operations

CROWLEY – In an effort to reduce criminal activity, the Crowley Police Department ran the first of many curfew operations. The operation was ran on Saturday, September 19, 2009.

“Officers met at the Police Department for an 10:30 p.m. briefing. Shortly thereafter, they took to the streets” stated Chief K.P. Gibson.

The four-hour operation targeted curfew violations in all areas of town, but specifically targeted areas where police have been handling various criminal complaints from broken windshields and windows to property thefts and criminal mischief. “We have been dealing with an increase amount of vandalism and petty thefts during the late evening early morning hours in our residential neighborhoods. It is our belief that the majority of these crimes are juvenile related. We have also been receiving an increase amount of citizen complaints regarding juveniles out after curfew” stated Chief Gibson.

“Our goal is to get the children of our community off the streets during the late evening hours and reduce crime. There is no reason for children under the age of 16 to be out and about after curfew unless with their parents or guardian” stated Chief Gibson.

The operation was a success according to Chief Gibson. During the 4 hours, 11 children were arrested for curfew violations and one of the children was arrested for possession of Marijuana. All children were released to the custody of their parents, who were required to come to the Police Department to accept custody of their children. The next step for the violators of curfew, Juvenile Court.

“Our officers said it seemed like the word got out after a while and the juvenile traffic was extremely slow after that time. Never know when the next one will occur” stated Chief Gibson.