Police chief: Teen curfew effective

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile's teen curfew has been on the books for more than a year. Has it made a difference? Mobile's police chief released new numbers to the city council. Here's what we found out.

Mobile's Police Chief Micheal T. Williams said periodically, he has to report numbers in to the Mobile City Council about the city's curfew violators.

"Since November 1 of 2011 officers have detained 546 juveniles who were out after hours and in violation of the curfew. 81 of those individuals were taken to the curfew center on St. Anthony Street," Williams said.

Mobile's city curfew starts on weekdays at 11 p.m. and on weekends at midnight. Both end at 6 a.m. The curfew is only for those under 17-years-old. Most of the violators were picked up at night and early morning.

"There were violations of 145 during school hours, and 401 of these individuals were caught after the 11 p.m. and midnight curfews," Williams said.

Williams said some of the juveniles picked up were carrying weapons. He said the shooting incident New Year's Eve in downtown Mobile involved two 17-year-olds.

"There is a problem with our juveniles being armed. Parents need to know where their children are. Parents need to make sure their firearms are secure in their arms," Williams said.

Williams said with Mardi Gras coming up, he wants everyone to know, his department will not tolerate disorder.

The city council voted unanimously in November to extend the curfew for two more years. It is set to expire on December 31, 2014.