Post by pavel on Feb 3, 2016 6:45:25 GMT -6
SANTA FE – The New Mexico House voted 44-21 on Monday to approve a bill that would allow cities and counties to enact youth curfew ordinances, sending it on to the Senate.
While critics of the measure argued curfews would criminalize young people and possibly lead to an increase in racial profiling, backers countered by describing them as a necessary tool for some crime-fatigued communities.
“I do see things running out of control,” said the bill’s sponsor, House Republican floor leader Nate Gentry of Albuquerque, who cited a recent increase in Albuquerque’s murder rate. “And I do feel the need to do something.”
Gentry has called for the bill to be named Stevie’s Law after Steven Gerecke, an Albuquerque bartender who was shot in his driveway last summer. Six juveniles were arrested and indicted in the killing.
Read more: www.abqjournal.com/716526/news/house-passes-bill-to-allow-youth-curfews.html
While critics of the measure argued curfews would criminalize young people and possibly lead to an increase in racial profiling, backers countered by describing them as a necessary tool for some crime-fatigued communities.
“I do see things running out of control,” said the bill’s sponsor, House Republican floor leader Nate Gentry of Albuquerque, who cited a recent increase in Albuquerque’s murder rate. “And I do feel the need to do something.”
Gentry has called for the bill to be named Stevie’s Law after Steven Gerecke, an Albuquerque bartender who was shot in his driveway last summer. Six juveniles were arrested and indicted in the killing.
Read more: www.abqjournal.com/716526/news/house-passes-bill-to-allow-youth-curfews.html