Dewey Police Crack Down on Curfew

Braxton Figgs 26

Senior Staff Writer

Over the past summer, Dewey Beach Police have increased their attention on teens in the streets during the night. So-called “illegal juvenile activity” has led to many local kids being approached by cops when biking home from work or just eating pizza at a picnic table. While there is an obvious need for enforcement when it comes to underage drinking and loitering, some argue the case is that kids are just being kids. 

Near curfew on Labor Day weekend, Starboard Claw employee, Kyle Green, was stopped on his bike on his way home from work. His bike is his only way of transportation from his house to his job. His interaction with the police went smoothly, however as he left he noticed “there were lots of out-of-state kids loitering in Franco's parking lot.”  Another student, Nolan Moore, a resident of Dewey Beach in the summer described the police as power abusers. “Sometimes I just want some pizza and I can’t even do that. I get where they’re coming from, but you’re looking at the wrong kids.” Sometimes it isn’t even late at night when cops begin to patrol the beaches and streets. “I was down on the beach hours before curfew with a few friends, and cops came up to us and said we had to leave right then and there,” said Kyle’s brother, Kolbe Green. 

Many students have had interactions with the Dewey Police over the summer, but most have ended in a waste of time. It is important that kids follow the laws and continue to be respectful of officers, but in return the police should also be lenient to local minors who are just trying to bike home from work.