Do Youth Curfew Rules in Montana Need to Be Improved?

A youth curfew for kids is causing a huge debate among Montana parents. Should parents get to decide when their kids should be inside? Let's discuss.

Are Curfews Keeping Montana Streets Safe or Taking Away Freedom?

Montana doesn't have a required curfew or time when kids need to be inside, but many cities and towns do. Now that kids are getting out of school for the summer, officials in several towns throughout the state are reminding parents that there's still a curfew. Should a curfew be implemented for kids in Montana, or is it trading freedom for safety?

The Manhattan Montana Police Department shared the following on Facebook.

Reading through the comments, I was surprised to see how many parents were against a set curfew. When I was growing up, the following question was asked every night before the local new

It's 10:00. Do you know where your children are?

Back then, our parents really didn't care when we came home as long as we weren't out getting in trouble. Some parents feel that a curfew is a good idea because that's the way that it's always been, but some feel it's a violation of their parental rights.

Get our free mobile app

It's not just Manhattan. Many cities and towns in Montana have similar rules that are enforced by local law enforcement. Proponents of the curfew argue that late nights can lead to unsupervised activities and could increase accidents, crime, and drug use. Opponents of the curfew argue that it's an overreach of parental authority.

According to Montana Code 7-32-2302, County Commissioners are given the authority to establish a set curfew.

How do you feel about a set curfew for kids in Montana? Are you for it or against it? Send us a message on our radio station app and let us know your thoughts!