Columbia City Council against city-wide teen curfew proposal

Columbia City Council was against a city-wide teen curfew discussed at the council meeting Monday night.

Instead the councilsaid they were moving forward to build a youth anti-violence task force.

The council has two weeks to come up with approximately 13 people who they think should be a part of the task force.

After four shootings in June, city leaders say there needs to be a way to keep troubled youth off the streets.

A city report proposes more than just a curfew in order to curb that crime. The report also talks about strong initiatives for after school and evening programs, employment opportunities, early child intervention and removing graffiti in the city.

City Manager Mike Matthes said in the report that it’s assumed having a curfew will lessen youth crime. He also said it’s a measure to protect youth from being in a dangerous situation where they could be harmed.

Despite discussion on the topic, there will not be a vote on the issue Monday night.