Evening star., 1960-05-02
Liberal Groups
Oppose Curb
On Idle Teens
By GILBERT GIMBLE
Star Stad Writer


the night time hours was
voiced today at public hear
ing.
Witnesses for such groups as
the American Civil Liberties
and Americans for Democratic
Action attacked the anti-loi-
tering measure as vague. diff
cult to enforce, and too re-
strictive, at a hearing before
the District Commissioners.
They said the regulations seem
to violate constitutional privi-
legeS, including the right to
congregate in public space.
John E. Powell, representing
the District Juvenile Court Ad-
visory Committee, said his
group opposes the regulations.
He said it will result in arrest
records being kept on those
youngsters picked up in viola
ton of the curfew. He called
it an "unwiSe" move.
Enforcement Aid Seen
The Commissioners we're
told by Inspector John E. VIM
ters, chief of the police Youth
Aid Division, that the anti
lettering regulation would be
helpful in preventing juvenile
delinquency.
1T would give police the
necessary authority to ques-
ton children out on the street
late at night" Inspector VIM
terS said. 1T would initiate
remedial action at a time when
such action is more suscep-
tible to success and, in most
cases, without the need of
court reterral." ,"
The regulations would forbid
youngsters up to 18 years of
age from being on the streets
or in public places without a
valid reason between the hours
of 10 pm. and 5 am.
Would Penalize Parents
The regulations penalize
parents or guardians who
knowingly permit juveniles to
loiter. They may be fined up
to $500 or jailed up to 10 days.
To loiter, under the regula-
tionS, means TO idle, to stand
around, to tarry upon, or to
wander on foot or in or on a
vehicle without a legitimate
purpose"
Witnesses questioned Wheth-
er this definition would give po-
lice too much leeway in DETER
what is valid purpose
when they find a youngster on
the street during the curfeW
hour.
Backs Present Law
Stephen j. Pollak, speaking
for the American Civil Liberties
Union, said present laws should
be sufficient to cover any cases
of juvenile delinquency that the
broad anti-loitering regulations
are aimed at.
He noted that present dis
conduct statutes and
the overall Juvenile Court Act
are sufficient for police to act
in juvenile delinquency cases.
The vagueneSs Of the pro-
posed anti-loitering measure
leaves police without a mean
lngful guide" in enforcement
and will breed contempt for
the law" he said.
Fails to See Need
Philip Schwartz, representing
he local chapter of Americans
.or Democratic Action, said the
leed for the sweeping restric-
ions" proposed in the anti
regulations has not
been clearly demonstrated. He
laid the measure would make
baby sitterS of all parents of
children under the age of 49,"
He added: 1T would equally
oenalize the good, the bad,
md the Indifferent parent.
Certainly parents have the legal
light to insist that they and not
he police have the authority to
determine what are the legiti-
nate reasons for their children
o be out"
The regulations appear COM
'letely blind and Indifferent to
larsh sociological and economic
acts" said Prince E. Gold
hwaite, representing the Or
anized Community Youth for
he District of Columbia.
Broken Homes Cited
He said holding the parent
n guardian responsible for the
uvenile's actions is especially
larsh when there is a broken
lome situation with only one
'arent caring for the family.
Witnesses who spoke in
avor of the purpose of the
equations represented the
District Committee of the
White House Conference on
children and Youth, the Wash
ngton Criminal Justice Asso-
iation, the Commissioners
Youth Council, and the Fedora
ion Of Citizens Associations.
Some asked for more time to
i've further study to the spe-
ific language of the measure.
Inspector Winters said the
'outh Aid Division had been
1fOrmed hY q dnzen civic nr.