1. Introduction
This report is on the subject of the “Northbridge Curfew” policy which was implemented in Western Australia, under the Labor Government in 2003. The report will discuss a number of points, such as, what the curfew is, why it was created, and both the positive and negative reactions from the public after the curfew was put in to action. The report will also include a recommendation as to whether or not the Curfew should be extended to include areas outside of the Northbridge area.
2. What is the Curfew?
The “Northbridge Curfew” or otherwise known as “The Young People in Northbridge Policy” is a curfew that was created under the circumstances for the number of unsupervised children in Northbridge - one of Perth’s main entertainment districts - after dark.
2.1. Where does it apply to?
The “Young People in Northbridge Policy” is applied in the Northbridge district. From the Office of Crime Prevention’s 2003 report, this area “is defined as that area bounded by Roe Street to the south; Beaufort Street to the east; Newcastle Street to the north; the Mitchell Freeway to the west; and, William Street extending to Brisbane Street.”
Source: Look At WA website (http://www.lookatwa.com.au/Zones/northbridgemap.html)
2.2. Who it applies to?
The policy was aimed mainly to apply to the youths of Western Australia, specifically those who frequently loitered in the Perth/Northbridge area. The policy prohibits children 12 or under to be in the area after sunset, and children between the ages of 13 to 15 after 10pm – unless under the care of a sober or responsible guardian. The policy is something that has also been directed to those all less than 18 years of age, who engage in what is said to be anti-social beha...
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...n to have lowered the rate of young people in the Northbridge area, from the help of both the Police and groups in the Northbridge community, it is seen to be something of a discriminative “re-packaged policy” towards the Indigenous youth.
In regards to recommending if the policy should be extended to areas outside of Northbridge, I believe that unless there is a significant amount of research placed on the specific areas which are believed to need a curfew, then yes, it should be extended. Despite this though, from the research above, showing that there was a drop in the amount of people apprehended, it was set out on a specific racial group, from low socio-economic areas, and not areas in which middle class people reside, as it is usually believed that people from low socio-economic background are more commonly at a higher risk of crime than that of middle class.
Opinions such as those found in the Smith Family Youth Unemployment Report (2003) which hypothesize that juvenile crime is directly connected to the high rates of youth unemployment in Australia cannot be neither accepted nor critiqued until there is a clear understanding of what the terms “Youth Unemployment” and “Juvenile Crime” mean in the context of this essay. In this essay youth unemployment is generally taken to include the entire 15-24 age cohort – not just 15-19 year old teenagers – who are no longer at school or university and who are without a job. I have chosen to include 20-24 year olds under the banner of “Youth”, as it gives a fairer picture of the performance of all young people in the labor market and takes into account the pattern of employment both during and after leaving school or university.
2002 Controlling Crime The Open University, Sage publications (Chapter 1 p.28) Wilson, J, Q and Kelling G, 1982 “Broken Windows” The Police and neighbourhood safety printed in Criminological Perspectives: Essential Readings 2nd edition 2004 pages 400 410 edited by John Muncie, Eugene McLaughlin Personal experience as Hertfordshire County Council representative on Watford and Three Rivers Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships
...een family problems, address the lack of appropriate education initiatives, progress the development of adequate employment opportunities, and alleviate problematic self-conceptions of cultural identity are realistic endeavors, which support cooperative relationships across cultures. Fostering these circumstances through engagement that warrants features of social bonding to be achieved by providing support in a way that does not minimize the experience of Aboriginal oppression will facilitate positive social change. This results in the possibility of ameliorating the complex injustices experienced by Aboriginal peoples today that are entrenched in the conditions of the past. Ultimately, these positive advancements will enable the adoption of pro-social values and solidify an environment that subsequently inhibits Aboriginal youth from resorting to gang involvement.
...to introduced the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy. The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: old-style community policing combined with a continued, heavy presence wherever and whenever required. This strategy is risky because 9 out of 10 kids stopped and documented on a street corner could be good kids and as a result may leave them violated or make them feel like a criminal. Police have improved the number of minority recruits and have promoted members of visible minorities into higher ranks. They’ve also embarked on a unique partnership with the Ontario Human Rights Commission to improve human resources practices, and how police serve the public. One good reason for this is when the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy is being forced; people would feel more comfortable speaking to someone of their own race rather than someone that isn’t.
...al departments actually reaches first nations” (Assembly of First Nations 2007:1), with 11 percent of funding being spent on INAC departmental overhead (Assembly of First Nations 2007). In order to improve the conditions of Aboriginal life, and subsequently improve the parenting abilities of Aboriginals, we must first address and repair the underlying psychological, emotional, and social problems within Native communities. This process of repair should be facilitated through the development of a long-term strategy, designed to increase government spending towards beneficial social and medical programs, with a primary focus on addressing the traumas inflicted by the residential school system. In the words of Lloyd Robertson (2006: 21), “Concomitantly, community development work needs to be done to mitigate the disastrous effects of the residential school experiment.”
White, R., & Sutton, A.: Crime prevention, urban space and social exclusion. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Sociology, 31(1): 1995: 82-99. Print
"Edmonton considers expanding outdoor smoking ban." Canadian Broadcasting Corporation [CBC] 13 June 2011. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 24 June 2011.
It is important to understand the cultural tradition carried out by Indigenous Australians because they are still practiced today. A strategy would be running workshops to get an education about policing directly from officers and youths sharing their cultural values and tradition (Grant, H 2015). This strategy provides police officers to learn about the Indigenous youth and their culture, while the youths build a positive relationship with police aiming to developing confidence and becoming a better role model in their community (Cunneen 2001). In regards to the case study if the ingenious children would have been involved in programs like this or had a better relationship with the police they would not have stolen the car or been shot (Cunneen 2001).
There is some debate on whether curfews keep teenagers out of trouble. A curfew is defined as a law or regulation that requires a person or group of people must stay indoors for a designated time, usually through the night. Curfews usually apply to teenagers and are there to help keep them out of trouble and keep them safe. City regulations have different views on curfew times and age groups. For example, a 13 year old will need to go indoors earlier than a 17 year old. Usually a curfew is set at about 11 p.m., but can also be set for in the daytime. In consideration of having a curfew for teenagers, the crime rate has greatly decreased.
Sherman, L. (n.d.). Communities and Crime Prevention . NCJRS. Retrieved April 29, 2014, from https://www.ncjrs.gov/works/chapter3.htm
Curfew is the time at which you should be back home and safe. Most High Schooler’s will argue that “it’s stupid” and “I won’t get in trouble anyways”. Curfew for High Schooler’s and younger children is an excellent idea because it keeps students in line and out of possible trouble. If curfew was enforced it would eventually help kids be more responsible and trust worthy. Although some might think otherwise, High Schooler's are irresponsible and can not be trusted enough to not have a curfew.
"Handling Curfews." BYU David O. McKay School of Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
In today’s society, some parents create curfews for their children while others allow their children to create their own curfews. Numerous people argue that setting curfews for teenagers help them refrain from taking part in mischief and help them to develop into superior adults. The remaining group of people state that curfews would make teenagers rebel. Teenage curfews produce different positive but many negative views in parents and teenagers.
In today’s society, some parents create curfews for their children while others allow their children to create their own curfews. Numerous people argue that setting curfews for teenagers help them refrain from taking part in mischief and help them to develop into superior adults. The remaining group of people state that curfews would make teenagers rebel. Teenage curfews produce many different positive and negative views in parents and teenagers. Different opinions on curfews are expressed through parents, teenagers, and mayors; and there are numerous reasons for people not supporting curfews.
Daily Mail (2012) claims that offenders under the age of 18 commit a quarter of all crimes, accounting for more than a million in a single year. The Home Office found that juveniles were responsible for half of the robberies, 32 per cent of burglaries, 31 per cent of vehicle crimes and 28 per cent of criminal damage offences (Daily Mail, 2012). Moreover, the warning alert is that there is a chance of reoffending by the young criminal. As stated by Daily Mail (2012), about three quarters of young criminals return to crime within a year. With regard to the evidence provided it could be stated that youth crime is a serious issue with the possibility of developing into a severe problem in the UK and the significance of emphasizing the issue of juvenile delinquency, therefore, is crucial. This essay will outline and review the causes, effects and possible solutions to such an ominous subject as you...