REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - In a five to two vote, Rehoboth Beach Commissioners voted to add a curfew for minors from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The curfew is for anyone under the age of 18 years old. The proposal received various opinions, with man at the meeting say it was a "terrible" idea and had concerns for his own children. To one woman suggesting the curfew be from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Rehoboth Beach youth curfew statement released on Friday, May 16.
People along the coast say Rehoboth Beach is a peaceful place for some rest, relaxation and summer fun. However, some are worried after a string of recent disturbances, reportedly by unruly teenagers out late at night.
Some want to see a curfew put in place, Jody Bowers says that's not a bad idea.
"I think it should be enforced. I really think people come here to enjoy the place, spend money and have fun. I just think that the younger people today take a little bit of that away from the people that are trying to enjoy, especially later in the evening," Bowers shared.
John Mesirow lives in Rehoboth Beach part time and says he spent a lot of his childhood and now adulthood in the beach town.
He says the freedom he was given as a teen was important to him and gave him a sense of independence that he carries with him today. Mesirow also shared he feels the curfew will penalize those who aren't creating any disturbances.
He even more the commissioners an email opposing the curfew.
"While I realize there may be some complaints, punish the people that are the subject of the complaint, if indeed they're violating any law or ordinance. It's just lazy to me to to say 'yeah, no one under 18 can be out there,'" Mesirow explained.
Mesirow also shares concerns with someone from a neighboring beach town about the strategy officers would use to keep an eye out for minors.
"So this just gives the police the authority to just stop someone who they think is under 18 and demand their ID? It's just unnecessary. It's overly broad and I'm generally pro freedom unless there's serious harm," Mesirow shared.
Rehoboth Beach Police Chief Keith Banks spoke at Friday afternoon's meeting. He says his officers wanted a curfew after "unacceptable levels of juvenile delinquency resulting in a 110% increase in juvenile charges over the previous three years."
Mesirow says handling each situation on a case by case basis is the better approach and doesn't penalize kids that aren't doing anything wrong.