Cutting Crime With Curfew Laws
By Savannah Owens
In response to incidents of vandalism – many cities such as Greenville, Dallas, Rockwall, Paris, Allen, and Mt. Pleasant have implemented curfew laws. Sulphur Springs currently does not have curfew laws. KSST interviewed various sources on the pros and cons of curfew laws and their impact on crime and vandalism.
To start the discussion – Curfews for minors differ from city to city, they typically impact teens and children under the age of 17. Minors are not allowed to be out past 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm on school nights, and 11:00 pm or midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. For an example of a minor curfew ordinance – click here. Paris’ Minor Curfew Ordinance has a policy that is unique-their officers will hand out one warning violation to the parent or guardian, for the first offense. Repeat offenders are then issued citations.
Paris Texas has had a minor curfew law since July 1st 1994. Lieutenant John Berry from the Paris Police Department, sat down with KSST to explain how it was working for Paris and offer suggestions for looking into curfew laws. “I do [think the curfew is helping Paris]. If you look at it, curfew helps [law enforcement] and parents get the kids off the street at night.”
In 2007, the Paris Police Department gave out 24 violations and 6 cases were filed with the municipal court. Now just 10 years later in 2017, the Paris PD gave out 3 violations and only 1 case filed. Juvenile Disturbances have also dramatically decreased. In 2007 they had 106 Juvenile Disturbances and in 2015 they had only 22. “We’ve seen a drastic decline in a lot of things juvenile related, and a lot of those [would] happen after it gets dark, after the curfew kicks in. So that helps.”
When it comes to advantages and disadvantages of having a curfew, Lt. Berry said “I don’t know that there are disadvantages. From the law enforcement standpoint the advantages are that we have the ability and the law backing us to get kids off the street. I can’t stress that enough. There’s a certain time period usually when bad things are more-likely to happen and if the kids are in their homes with a responsible adult, or in the care of their parents or a responsible adult they’re a whole lot less likely to be victimized or to become part of that criminal element. As a parent, I’m not going to let my kids be out at that time of night, so the curfew is just an added incentive for that.”
Additionally, Lt. John Berry supported the curfew by clarifying “I don’t think [the curfew law] is a drain [on resources] it’s another tool, and for us all of the laws in the book are there to keep people safe. Anytime you’re getting used to anything that’s a change it’s different, but it’s not going to cost the city anymore money…We’re out there anyhow-the officers are out there enforcing other laws, and I can’t say that it would be enforcing [curfew] more than anything else, but in the beginning when it first starts you’ve got to deal with it, and it seems like you deal with it a lot when it first begins, and then as people figure out that we’re really going to enforce this, it slows down. Our numbers have diminished over the past 10 years, and we’re still dealing with a little bit of it, but nothing like what we used to.”
Lt. Berry said “I would [recommend a city wide-minor curfew]. I actually worked here during the time period before we had the curfew. We were dealing with a lot of situations where kids would get out, and we have to face it, at that age kids are impressionable. They fall to peer pressure pretty easily and that’s just a tool to allow us and the parents and guardians to get the kids off the street.” Lt. Berry continued. “There’s a lot of bad things out there..not just in Paris or Sulphur Springs, anywhere you go there is a bad element and anything we can do to protect our kids [we should]. That’s what all this is about: Protecting our kids, protecting our citizens and doing what we can to make everything better for everyone else. I understand that’s an ideal, but we’re going to do what we can.”
KSST also talked with law enforcement officers from Sulphur Springs, and Winnsboro to better understand curfew laws, vandalism, and whether a curfew ordinance is a good option for Sulphur Springs.
Sulphur Springs Patrol Captain Jason Ricketson said vandalism on the plaza typically occurs “from early in the evening to after midnight.” He also said “There’s not one specific age group- it ranges from small kids to adults.”
But the Sulphur Springs police department does see more vandalism in the summer months-when kids are out from school. Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders said the “Main problem is when school is out- that’s when we get most of our damages is between the end of school and the beginning of school…During the summertime it doesn’t matter [the day of the week].”
Winnsboro Police Chief Andy Chester is a part time officer in Sulphur Springs, and agreed in Sulphur Springs “vandalism really picks up during the summer-any day and night of the week; During the school year, you’ll have very few groups out on Friday football nights, but it usually increases on Saturdays with younger high school and middle school students.” Chester said the Sulphur Springs vandalism is often caused by “preteens and high-school students. It’s a lot of middle school kids who are unsupervised.”
Chief Sanders said “We’ve talked about a curfew, we’re talking about it, but we haven’t moved on it yet, because we want the downtown area to be a place that people want to come to…a family atmosphere…” but he believes a “curfew may be too much right now.”
Officer Ricketson explained “It comes down to a manpower issue, enforcing curfew would take away from the officer’s other duties and that creates an issue.”
Chief Sanders thinks the responsibility to fix the heart of the problem lies with the citizens. “What’s gonna fix it? If people stop damaging things. We can’t fix everything that’s wrong. If people just respect what we have and our downtown plaza…”
Winnsboro and Paris are both cities similar to Sulphur Springs. Winnsboro does not have a minor curfew law, while Paris does. Here’s an inside look on why other cities choose to have or not have a curfew.
Chief Chester explained. Winnsboro doesn’t have a curfew because “We don’t have a lot of juvenile issues; occasionally we have issues at the parks, but we just step up the patrols [in that area]” and the crime lessens. “We don’t have [many problems] because parks close at 11 or 10 pm and people can’t just go to hang out late at the parks anymore.”
Chief Chester also worked at Bovina where they had a minor curfew from 9:30pm on weekdays. Chief Chester says implementing a minor curfew really “depends on what kind of issues you have” and Winnsboro doesn’t have enough issues to see a need for it. But in Sulphur Springs where vandalism is becoming more common, Chester thinks it’s worth looking into. “I think it is a good idea, I’ve never been against a curfew.”
In Sulphur Springs, we have approximately 2,100 students enrolled just at the high school and middle school these kids are of the ages that are most susceptible to peer pressure.
Approximately 25,000 people live in Paris, while a little more than 16,000 people live in Sulphur Springs. Mt. Pleasant has approximately 16,000 people as well, and they also have a curfew law. City size isn’t a huge factor in deciding on whether or not to implement a curfew.
KSST would like to hear from you – do you feel a Minor Curfew would help reduce crime and vandalism in the city and do you think it is a good idea? Message us on Facebook or Email Savannah at [email protected].
Wildcat Football Schedule Change
The Wildcats’ football team now has a new opponent for the opening game at the new, renovated Gerald Prim Stadium on Friday, September 8th. The Wildcats will now face The Avalon School of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Wildcats’ Athletic Director Greg Owens announced the change Thursday afternoon. He said, “due to unforeseen circumstance, we will not be playing Garfield, High School from Seattle, Washington”. He added, “they had to break our contract”. Coach Owens said he found a new opponent from Maryland, The Avalon School. They will only be bringing a varsity team so Coach Owens said he is still searching for a JV opponent for that week. He said he didn’t know much about the Black Knights of The Avalon School. Coach Owens said the teams are beginning to trade video game tapes.
Week Five at The Edge
Thursday marked the end of week number five of The Edge conditioning program. 20 workouts have been done. There is one more week of four workouts to go. Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said week five started off really strong but attitudes dropped off a little bit on Thursday.
He called Thursday one of the slowest moving days he’s seen at The Edge. Coach Young blamed the heat and the fact it was day 20. He said some athletes were still working hard but he added he could see some of the younger athletes and some of the bigger guys struggling a little bit with their intensity levels. Still Coach Young said athletes were improving and making progress. Numbers were not bad Thursday as 70 attended. Coach Young said it is not unusual to be under 60 at this point in The Edge. He said he would like to see more from the sophomore class.
Coach Young had kudos for the senior class. He called them probably the best attending senior class since he’s been here. Coach Young said they had really invested in the program. He said as a rule when the senior class commits like this, the football team has a good season. Coach Young said he sensed a buzz around The Edge that this season could be something special. He said it makes him more optimistic about the coming season.
Coach Young notes that last year’s team made the playoffs. He said they lost two games right near the end. He said if the team can flip those games and pick up another win or two, the team’s season record could be very improved. Coach Young said the team had a lot of returners and he added the team is healthy.
One more week of The Edge remains. Coach Young said older players would be running drills outside next week on days when coaches were involved with football camp inside the Multipurpose Building.
Ag Workers Building Being Removed From Buford Park
The blue metal building in Buford Park known as the Ag Workers Building is being removed and the iron skeleton of the building will be moved to the City of Sulphur Springs Service Center. There, the iron skeleton will have sheet metal attached and be used to store the expensive water and sewer parts that will be used in the improvements the city will be making in staged improvements for those areas according to City Manager Marc Maxwell.
The Ag Workers building had fallen into disrepair over the years. The Ag Workers group has not used the building for some time. The building had also been rented for various events but now that the Pavilion is in place, there is little need for the building.
One of the benefits of moving the building is the view for those using the newly built Pavilion at the park. Now those at the Pavilion will have an unobstructed view of Peavine Pinion Pond. The slab for the old building will also be removed and grass will be planted in its place.
Ag Workers Building before removal
Community Meal at Mitchell Chapel, Thursday July 27th, 2017
Come one come all! We are at it again. A community feeding at Mitchell Chapel C.O.G.I.C. 402 S. Jackson St. Thursday, July, 27, 2017 11:00a.m. -1:00p.m.
Menu: Tater Tot casserole, Green Salad, Rolls, Drinks and Dessert. Come out and be fed with some good food.
This meal is free to the community
Wilburn Announces Candidacy for Hopkins County Commissioner Precinct 2
I am John Wilburn, announcing as a candidate to run for Hopkins County Commissioner of Precinct 2.
I am a 51 year old Hopkins County native who has lived in Precinct 2 in the Martin Springs community all of my life. My parents were the late James and ElFleta Grimes Wilburn, lifetime residents of Hopkins County. My grandparents were Walter and Annie Ruth Grimes of Martin Springs, and J.W. and Golden Swinford Wilburn of Saltillo. I am a 1983 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School. After graduation I went into the dairy and custom hay baling business where I worked until 2004. From September of 2004 until 2012, I worked in the road and bridge department at Precinct 2. I am now currently an employee of Winburn Milk Company with Ballard Drivers.
My wife, Lesa White Wilburn, a native of Hopkins County, grew up in the Reilly Springs and Dike communities. She is a graduate of Sulphur Springs High School and served as an educator in the SSISD for 18 years. In 2016, she accepted a position in the Como-Pickton CISD as a science teacher. Together, our children are Amber Wilburn Dykes, Ashley Wilburn Sells and husband Matthew, Harley Wilburn, Heston Wilburn, and Caemon Wilburn. Heston is a senior at CPCISD, and Caemon, a sophomore. We also have 3 grandchildren Allyson Dykes, Ansley Dykes, and Logan Sells. My family has been active participants in Hopkins County Girls Softball, Sulphur Springs Boys Baseball, NETLA Market Show, Pop Warner Football, Sulphur Springs and Como- Pickton FFA, Como-Pickton Eagle athletics. Seeing the youth of Hopkins County excel in these activities is an added bonus for my family and Hopkins County.
After working for Hopkins County Precinct 2, I am aware of the day to day operations and know the importance of all organizations working together. It is my desire to see the county working cooperatively with the city, all fire departments, sheriff department, tax office, hospital district and all school districts. The condition of roads in Precinct 2 is a number one priority of the people. This will not be an easy problem to solve because of the present budget. If I am elected commissioner, I will quickly and cost effectively try to improve these conditions. To keep taxes at a minimum, to work within a conservative balanced budget, and to seek funding to put back into Hopkins County while working with local and state levels will be other items I will address.
I believe the office of Commissioner of Precinct 2 should be one of transparency. I am a candidate who will listen to the needs of the community and seek ways to solve the issues. If elected as commissioner, I will not avoid phone calls (903-348-9878) and will welcome calls any time, day or night, to better our community. I look forward to meeting with you as we begin this campaign.
What is CHESS? Find Out at the Homeschool Book Fair and Open House on Saturday July 29
Tammy Reardon, a homeschool mom and board member of Christian Homeschool Educators of Sulphur Springs, is inviting everyone interested to the CHESS Book Fair and Open House on Saturday July 29, 2017 between 10 am and 3 pm at Central Baptist Church, 840 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. You can meet the organizers, board members and other homeschool parents and obtain valuable information about CHESS. Information booths will have printed information on curriculum choices, co-op classes, extracurricular activities and sports, and various other aspects of homeschooling available to families. The book fair will offer new and used books. A brief workshop called “Organizing Your Homeschool Year” will be offered. A snack bar will be open. Besides the snack bar, everything at the CHESS event is free of charge.
During a KSST Good Morning Show interview, Reardon explained that the options for homeschool parents (and grandparents) in providing a quality education is almost limitless, offering a great amount of freedom in setting aside portions of the day for education. For example, in the Reardon household, a typical day for their two children includes farm chores on the family farm along with class time on the computer. Evenings may include CHESS-organized sports like volleyball and basketball, CHESS team activities like robotics and fishing, and at times, group instruction known as “co-op classes”. Last Spring, Chess joined with a Greenville homeschool group to host a high school Prom, and about 70 students and their dates took part in that. Homeschool high schoolers approaching graduation have many options open to them, including College Plus which makes dual-credit college classes available.There are currently over 100 homeschool students residing in the local area.
Chamber Connection July 27, 2017
The deadline is almost here! It’s time to turn in your t-shirt designs for the 48th Annual Stew Contest!!! The Chamber will be accepting submitted designs from Monday, July 17th through Monday, July 31st. The submitted entries will be voted on by the Chamber Board of Directors, and the winner will be announced on August 10th. If your design wins the t-shirt contest, it will be used on all shirts, hoodies, and marketing for the 48th Annual Stew Contest! Email your designs to [email protected]. We can’t wait to see the entries!!!!
I’m just so excited about the upcoming 2nd Annual Chamber of Commerce Photography Contest! Let me review the basics. Anyone of any age can enter as we have a children’s category. The picture must be newer than January 1, 2015, and must have been taken in Hopkins County. The contest will be open from August 1st to August 31st. There are seven categories you may enter: Natural World, Travel, People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children’s Category. Only digital images are accepted (no prints). To submit your photograph, email the picture to [email protected]. Rules and releases will be available on the Chamber of Commerce website. I cannot wait to see your beautiful photos!
Sulphur Springs Public Library presents their Summer Reading Program for June and July
The Sulphur Springs Library is hosting a summer reading program called Knights and Princesses Summer Reading Program 2017. Every Tuesday at 3 p.m., they offer multiplayer Minecraft. Storytime for all ages will be held on Tuesday, July 25th at 10:30 a.m. They will also have Storytime for the Ages on Thursday, July 20th at 6 p.m.
CanHelp is hosting their 2017 Back to School Fair on Friday August 4th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
CanHelp is hosting their 2017 Back to School Fair! Through the support of community and corporate sponsors, this event will be a one-stop destination to prepare the whole family for the start of school! The fair will offer free health and vision screenings, dental screenings and fluoride applications, immunizations for children and adults, haircuts, food and drinks, backpacks and school supplies (for low and moderate-income families of Hopkins County) and more. The 2017 Back to School Fair is scheduled for Friday, August 4th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center, 1200 Houston Street in Sulphur Springs. You must register for school supplies in advance. Visit www.canhelponline.org for more details.
Texas AgriLife Extension Office offers Summer Sewing Workshop
Texas AgriLife Extension Office is offering a Summer Sewing Workshop on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, August 15-17, 2017. The classes will be held at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston Street in Sulphur Springs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30-ish p.m. The cost is $15 (payable at door). The class will include t-shirt quilt instruction, basic sewing instruction, and simple make-and-take projects.
Ribbon cuttings:
The Venue at 219 hosted an Open House with its new owners on Thursday, July 20th at 5 p.m.
The Venue at 219, located at 219 Main Street in Sulphur Springs, hosted an Open House and ribbon cutting celebration with its new owners on Thursday, July 20th from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Guests enjoyed music, food, beverages, and a photo booth. The Venue at two nineteen is currently offering Christmas in July that will earn you 10% off any of your holiday bookings made in July.
Hopkins County Fire Department hosts a “Push-in” Ceremony for new Fire Truck on Friday, July 21st
The Hopkins County Fire Department’s Fire Truck “Push-in” Ceremony was held on Friday, July 21st at noon. After the ceremony, they officially put the brand new County fire truck into service. The Hopkins County Fire Department is located at 1286 Texas Street in Sulphur Springs.
NETcinity hosted their grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, July 26th at 10 a.m.
NETcinity hosted their grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, July 26th at 10 a.m. They are located at 1335 Shannon Road East in Sulphur Springs. NETcinity is a new company to Sulphur Springs that specializes in advanced technology marketing for businesses.
Sulphur Springs News Telegram hosting their Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Wednesday, July 26th at noon
Sulphur Springs News Telegram celebrated their ribbon cutting and grand re-opening on Wednesday, July 26th at noon. Sulphur Springs News Telegram is located at 401 Church Street in Sulphur Springs. In addition to the daily newspaper, the Sulphur Springs News Telegram distributes Down Home Living Magazine, a magazine that is published every other month; Country World, and various advertising opportunities.
