Hueytown Implements Curfew Ahead of Homecoming Week
As the city of Hueytown prepares for its annual Homecoming Week, local officials have announced a temporary curfew aimed at safeguarding community members and preventing vandalism. The curfew, effective from September 16 to September 21, will run nightly from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., encompassing the weekdays leading up to the festivities.
Background and Reasons for the Curfew
This decision by city officials follows prior incidents during Homecoming Week where gatherings of minors led to complaints from residents and concerns over potential disturbances. The history of the week has seen everything from harmless pranks to acts of vandalism, including toilet papering houses, egging, and even spray painting cars.
Lt. Hunter Hodges of the Hueytown Police Department explained that while some of these actions are intended to be fun, they can quickly escalate into problems that impact the whole community. “In the past, minors would gather and congregate with the intent of causing some minor vandalism. This does lead to property damage, and it can create negative interactions between homeowners and juveniles,” Hodges noted.
Community Reactions
The annual tradition of light-hearted pranks during Homecoming has its supporters and detractors within the community. For some parents like Velma Shufford, these activities are seen as harmless fun. “They always tissue roll our house. It’s okay, I don’t get upset. It’s all in fun,” she shared, noting her preference for this kind of mischief over more dangerous behaviors.
Conversely, other residents feel differently. Shundrika Price, another local parent, expressed discontent with the tissueing trend, stating, “I am one that I like to keep my yard up, so I don’t want any tissue or eggs or stuff around my house. I think that’s terrible.” Such differing opinions illustrate the divide in feelings about what constitutes acceptable behavior during this festive week.
Safety Measures in Place
The primary motivation for the curfew is to enhance safety among minors. “The major concern is their safety and the potential for trespassing and property damage,” Hodges elaborated. The Department aims to intervene before tensions escalate and residents are left with the burden of cleanup.
The curfew is also intended to keep youth off the roads late at night. “We’re trying to prevent situations where kids might end up driving erratically through neighborhoods or putting themselves at risk by not wearing seat belts,” said Hodges. Under this new guideline, parents could face consequences as well; fines of $25 for the first violation escalate to $500 for subsequent offenses.
Future Considerations
With local high school football games planned during this week, parents are left contemplating how the curfew interacts with events such as late-night games. Hodges reassured residents that officers have some discretion regarding curfew enforcement. However, he emphasized that parents should ensure their children return home directly after games.
In light of the new curfew, local parents seem unified in their understanding of the necessity for such measures. As Price said, “We gave birth to our children, so I feel like it’s our responsibility to make sure they’re doing right.”
As Homecoming Week approaches, it’s clear that the goal of the curfew is to promote a safer, more enjoyable atmosphere for everyone involved in the celebrations.
