Published July 27, 2007 10:26 am - Muskogee has a curfew. It should be enforced as strictly as possible.
Curfew serves purpose
Muskogee has a curfew. It should be enforced as strictly as possible.
And Muskogee parents, know where your children are and see that they obey the city’s curfew ordinance.
Two Tulsa youths are dead and another remains in critical condition after they were shot about 3 a.m. Sunday.
The tragedy is greater than a simple curfew violation, but it began with one.
Joshua Muller, 33, had no control of his anger and fired with an assault rifle into an SUV with the three youths: Derriko Ross, 16; Leah Harris-Fuqua, 12; and another 12-year-old girl. Muller shot the youths because he thought one of them stole his wife’s billfold, after the two girls had spent part of Sunday morning’s early hours with her. Some of that time, they spent outside a Tulsa bar.
Something similar, but not as tragic, occurred in Muskogee in late June. An 18-year-old, four juveniles and possibly three others were out at 2 a.m. on a Sunday morning. According to police, they threatened an adult, who had a gun, and a youth, who were overseeing a fireworks stand. The adult shot the 18-year-old when the group attacked the youth at the stand. The 18-year-old survived.
Muskogee curfew
WHO: Any person under 18 years of age.
WHEN: 11 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until 5 a.m. of the following day and 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
PENALTY: Each offense, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine not to exceed $100.00, plus court costs.
EXEMPTIONS: The city ordinance provides for various exemptions, including accompaniment with parents and guardian, or travel to church activity or work.
But this incident began, like the Tulsa incident, with youths out running around when they had no business to be out. And their parents or guardians are just as much to blame for the trouble the youths got into.
Tulsa police say they will increase enforcement of Tulsa’s curfew. Muskogee needs to do the same — and Muskogee parents, make sure your children are home when they should be.