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Curfew sweep leads to seven arrests

On the heels of a gang shakedown here April 11, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Juvenile Services Division performed a curfew sweep on May 2.

“We are going to continue these types of operations here throughout the summer,” said Lt. Alex Dominguez, commander of the Fallbrook Sheriff’s Substation. “[The juvenile officers] came up here at my request.”

The curfew operation resulted in seven arrests. All juveniles arrested were between the ages of 13 and 17 and in violation of San Diego County Code 39.101. The code states that curfew hours, for those under the age of 18, are in effect from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. daily.

The juveniles in violation of curfew were arrested and taken to the Fallbrook Substation where their parents were called. Each individual was released into the custody of his or her parent. Each juvenile’s case will be handled by the District Attorney’s office.

“They will be required to appear in court,” said Sgt. Mike O’Connor. “Some had gang-related issues, and in some cases there were questions involving controlled substances (drugs).”

Coordinated by Detective Jane Bailey-Sease, the operation began promptly at 11 p.m. on May 2 and went well into the early morning hours.

“We sent ten juvenile officers out on the operation,” said O’Connor. “The local deputies that were on duty during those hours assisted us with some information, as well.” The juvenile officers visited areas where minors are typically known to gather (loiter) and conducted random patrols throughout the area.

“[This operation] sends a message to juveniles and educates the parents as to what the law is in this county,” O’Connor said.

The curfew hours were established by the County Board of Supervisors in an attempt to reduce juvenile violence, juvenile gang activity, and juvenile crime. Advocates of curfews believe that by forbidding teens to be out late during those hours will reduce teenage crime as well as prevent others from being victims. Some may argue that the curfew is unfair to well-behaved teens; however, lawmakers have said in the past that the curfew is necessary for the greater good.

O’Connor explained that in past years curfew has varied, with different times established for various days of the week, and even for different seasons of the year.

“It is now a straight 11 p.m.,” he said. While the curfew is enforced, O’Connor explained that there is some reasonable leeway.

“<A minor> can be going from their job directly home, or directly home from a movie showing, as long as we are able to confirm that,” he said. O’Connor went on to explain that his unit performs curfew sweeps routinely throughout the county, in order to try and make a positive difference in communities.

“We usually do this unannounced,” O’Connor said. The purpose, O’Connor said, is primarily to protect juveniles from being victims.

“It is important to do this because juveniles very often become easy victims for others,” he said. “On occasion, they are also engaged in criminal activity. We want to prevent them from being victimized and we want to reduce crimes in the community.”

 

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