Commissioners Approve Curfew for Minors in Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A curfew for kids and teens could soon be implemented in Manatee County as commissioners voted in favor of it during their recent meeting.

The proposed curfew would be enforced from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from midnight to 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. This is already mandated by Florida law, but implementation is up to individual counties and municipalities.

The curfew aims to enhance safety and diminish crime and violence among minors. According to commissioners, the regulations will align closely with existing state statutes.

“We have a whole lot of car break-ins. That’s really the biggest thing—teens getting into cars, stealing cars, stealing guns, and then, unfortunately, we see violence that occurs after kids steal those guns,” stated District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard during the Tuesday night meeting.

Commissioner George Kruse was the sole dissenting voice, arguing that youth who engage in criminal activity are likely the ones who would disregard the curfew. “This is going to target innocent kids who are just out later for harmless reasons,” he explained. “It doesn’t protect those who will cause problems, nor does it shield the community from them.”

Kruse emphasized that the focus should be on addressing the underlying issues by adequately funding the sheriff’s department, suggesting that deputies should concentrate on identifying the real troublemakers instead of checking the IDs of minors who may not be causing any harm.

Dozens of residents expressed their support for the curfew at the meeting. One attendee noted, “Nothing good happens after midnight, and we understand that.”

With the commissioners’ approval, the County Attorney’s Office will now draft a proposed ordinance. This draft will be reviewed by both the sheriff’s office and the school district before it returns to the commissioners for further consideration.

Minors accompanied by a parent or legal guardian will be exempt from the curfew. Additionally, minors traveling from employment, school events, religious functions, or civic organization activities will also be exempt.

The first violation will result in a written warning, while a second offense could lead to a $50 fine, in line with Florida laws.