By Steve Bell
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-982593.mp3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A shooting incident on the Country Club Plaza in which three young people were injured has resulted in a stiffer two-level curfew for Kansas City, Missouri.
At the conclusion of Thursday's City Council Business session, it appeared that the council would postpone action on a curfew on the advice of Police Chief Jim Corwin, who called a tough curfew "the nuclear option."
But late in the council legislative session mayor Sly James introduced an ordinance creating a two-level curfew - part city-wide and part applying only to five designated entertainment districts. The new law would carry a penalty of up to $500 for parents of violators.
In advocating the plan, James said he was frustrated with people making excuses and with the time Kansas City takes to solve obvious problems. He said somebody had to speak up for what was needed to protect kids, and it would be him.
The council passed the plan James recommended.
From Memorial Day through late September there will be a 9 PM curfew for all persons under 18 on the Plaza, and in Westport, Downtown, 18th and Vine and Zona Rosa. The summer curfew in other parts of the city will be 10 PM for 15 and under and 11 for 16 and 17-year-olds. The rest of the year, the present curfew will still apply.