Columbus police chief says Uptown curfew showing early signs of success
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Just weeks after Columbus implemented its seasonal Uptown curfew, Police Chief Stoney Mathis believes the program is already producing positive results.
During an interview with CNAW2News.com, Mathis said while more data is needed before making long-term decisions, the early response has been encouraging.
“We think the curfew is working,” he said.
The curfew was created after increasing concerns about disruptive behavior involving groups of juveniles in Uptown Columbus.
Mathis emphasized the policy is not intended to prevent teenagers from visiting the area.
Instead, it requires minors to be accompanied by an adult.
“It wasn’t so much violent crime,” Mathis said. “It was a lot of petty crime.”
He said businesses and visitors have thanked officers for the increased police presence.
Crime statistics collected through Labor Day will determine whether the curfew returns next summer or possibly begins earlier in the season.
“This curfew is not designed to keep kids from Uptown,” Mathis said. “It’s designed to have children accompanied by an adult.”
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