On numerous occasions, Minister for Education Andrew Fahie has signaled intentions to bring curfew laws to the House of Assembly, giving members of the House the opportunity to benefit fully in the debate process.

For a Minister of Education to consider such action, then education officials must be convinced that the Legislative branch will provide enough cover to reverse the negative impact that a few youths are having on our society.

There also appears to be a firm belief that there is no longer a debate about whether or not curfew laws are the way to go. From all appearances, we are headed down the road and the Government is working with its own curfew to restore hope in our youth population.

The Minister of Education is correct in his analysis that the number of aberrant youths are small in comparison with the number of youths that sit on the other side of the fence. He is also correct that parents are largely responsible for the decline in the behavioural patterns and that the majority take the time to guide and counsel their children. So why then do we need to focus on the minority? It is simple.

Peer pressure is contagious and with a large volume of pressure being exerted from external forces on our youths, the challenge for the wider society becomes tougher. Firm decisions will have to be made.

 It will be a great testament of our virtues politically once the curfew laws are brought before the House. The Minister of Education has already started to solicit the help of fellow members of the House.

“At this time as leaders we must rise above the things that divide us as a people and unite our efforts on the things that will keep us united as a people. We must rise above district politics and now take a controversial, but yet bold and necessary step together in the best interest of our Territory,” Minister Fahie told the House of Assembly last December. His call appears genuine and well informed about the political risks involved with moving ahead to implement curfew laws.

Nowhere in the world would anyone feel comfortable about implementing laws that restrict movement of people, because the free movement of people is an inherent right, especially at public places.

However, the Minister will need to take the show on the road and not make the mistake as some of his fellow Cabinet members by neglecting to involve the citizenry in the decision making process. Likewise, each citizen should be tuned into this issue of curfew because it is likely to affect everyone. 

Curfew laws will not be unique to the Virgin Islands, if they are placed on the law books. Curfews are sometimes instituted in warzones to minimize conflicts.

However, these laws generally govern how late someone can legally stay outside in a public place and more often applies to persons under the age of 18.

For instance, the State of Arizona allows each city to set curfews, and they can be different from place to place. If you violate curfew in Arizona, you may be ticketed, have to pay a fine or do community service or held at the police station while a parent or guardian is called.

Some laws apply to parents also. A Parent or guardian is also susceptible to being cited for their child/children’s violation of curfew laws. In some US states, curfews are often different on weekends and weeknights and are often different if you are under the age of 16 or under the age of 18.

The scope of the law to be implemented here will depend largely on the citizenry. Before jumping to implement curfew laws, decision makers must also be cognizant of the enforcement problems.

A caller on a recent radio programme lamented the lack of enforcement of traffic laws. His remarks were accepted as a representation of fact by the Minister of Communications and Works, Julian Fraser. Henceforth, the Curfew Laws must accompany regulations that speak to the issue of enforcement and enforcement officers to be part of a separate unit which will function in collaboration with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and Social Development. The debate should begin today in earnest

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