REHOBOTH BEACH, DE -- A youth curfew is being proposed in Rehoboth Beach due to safety concerns after recent reports of youth-related incidents in the city. City leaders have outlined more details about the proposed ordinance.
According to a draft version of the ordinance, the proposed youth curfew would take effect from 11 pm to 5 am. During that time, anyone under the age of 18 would not be allowed to be in public spaces, public streets, or establishments without a parent or caretaker.
The ordinance draft also listed some exceptions, such as juveniles traveling to and from work, or to and from school, or city organized events.
City officials said the proposal comes after an increase in complaints surrounding unaccompanied youths at night. There has reportedly been a 110% increase in juvenile charges over the previous three-year average.
WBOC spoke with multiple people on the boardwalk Thursday about the proposal. 16-year-old Elizabeth Brown said she thinks it's a fair compromise.
"It could be that we couldn't come at all, or that we would have to always have to come with a guardian," Brown said. "I think it's really cool that they're letting us come and enjoy ourselves, and then it's just time for us to go."
Nancy Foschi said she thinks the 11 pm start time is generous.
"Parents or anybody coming to the beach would feel safer if kids aren't running around the boardwalk," Foschi said. "I think it's better for the kids to have some supervision and know there are rules to be followed."
Andrea Quigley said she thinks a curfew would be too much.
"I definitely think they should just look into increasing monitoring around here and not just punishing everybody," Quigley said. "Give kids a chance to be kids. There are some good kids out there, and when we put so many constraints on them, sometimes it leads to them being more spiteful."
No final decisions on that potential curfew have been made. Rehoboth Beach city commissioners are expected to discuss the proposal at their meeting on Friday, May 16th.