Effwctiveness of Curfew in Minor

Aileen A. Frane

CAS-01-601P

Implementation of Curfew for Minors in Barangay Fort Bonifacio:

An Assessment

ABSTRACT

Curfew rule requiring people to stay off the streets at certain times, usually in times of emergency. There are powersallowing a local authority or the police (after confirmation by the Secretary of State) to ban children under 10 from being in aparticular public place during specified hours (which must fall in the period 9pm and 6am), otherwise than under the controlof a parent or responsible adult (Crime and Disorder Act 1998 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001). Anychild found in breach of a curfew may be returned home, or to a place of safety if there are serious concerns about the child'ssafety in the family home. (Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006)

Curfews are credited by some with restoring and maintaining order in lower crime neighborhoods, according to the analysis. In addition to equipping law enforcement with tools to keep youth off the streets, curfews provide parents with a legitimate, legal basis for restricting the activities of their children. It is easier for parents to place boundaries on their children's activities, proponents argue, when other youth in the neighborhood are similarly restricted by a specific time to return home. Nonetheless, there are still weaknesses and problems it its implementation.

This study examines the relationship of a recently enacted teen curfew law in a mid-sized barangay with a population of more than 28,000 to juvenile arrest rates, and it analyzes the enforcement of the curfew during its first year of use in regard to factors associated with curfew violations and parental citations. These relationships are examined in relation to the arguments in favor of teen curfews and the concerns expressed by opponents of these curfews. The setting of the study is Barangay Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City and the participants are its residents and selected barangay officials.

Public officials and various sectors in the city are supportive of the effectiveness and enforcement in the implementation of existing curfew laws and city/municipals ordinances for minor to prevent children from being exposed to crimes that pose a serious threat to safety.

Hence, it also expected that there are weaknesses and problems in the implementation of curfew on minors in Fort Bonifacio. This study was carried out in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig to assess the implementation of curfew on minors and provide recommendations in order to address and improve these weaknesses and problems.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The main purpose of the study was to assess the operation of curfew on minors in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Specifically, it sought answers to the following:

1. What is the level of attainment of the objectives of curfew on minors?

1. 2.1 Are there significant differences on the level of attainment of the objectives of curfew on minorsas perceived by the respondents?

1. What is the level of implementation of curfew on minor?

1. 2.1 Are there significant differences on the level of implementation of curfew on minors as perceived by the respondents?

1. What is the degree of seriousness of problems encounteredin the implementation of curfew hours?

Importance of the Study

This result of the study will benefit the police officers, barangay officials, municipality of Fort Bonifacio, future researchers and the researcher himself.

For the Police officers, the result of the study will help them to upgrade and enhance its capabilities of implementing the PNP Strategic Action Plan in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.