By Emi Moss

Staff Writer

    For Winston-Salem teenagers, 10:00 pm can often mean the night is just getting started; hanging out with friends, getting home from work, or simply being out with family can all happen after this hour. However, under Winston-Salem’s new youth curfew, teens 17 and younger generally can’t be in public places between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am. A few exceptions exist, including when a teen is with a parent, going to or from work, or participating in certain activities. The curfew was approved by the Winston-Salem City Council in June and is currently set to expire October 12th. However, as the expiration date creeps up, city leaders are considering renewing it and making the restrictions permanent.    

    The curfew was created as a response to concerns over large groups of teens gathering downtown along with other late-night disturbances over the summer. Although the goal is to keep the community safe, teens and adults around Winston-Salem aren’t convinced that a curfew is the best way to do this. Kayla Irby, a sophomore at R.J. Reynolds High School, thinks the curfew makes it harder for teens to enjoy events like prom and the Carolina Classic fair. 

    “Now that’s just outrageous; it’s prom night,” Irby said. “It’s some people’s senior prom, and it’s time to have fun with friends and family, and the fact that they are trying to take that away from us is crazy.”

    Although the curfew exempts employment, students with jobs face difficulties. Reese Holder, a junior at RJR, also disagrees with the curfew. In her case, it affects her free time after work. 

    “Honestly, I don’t like the curfew because everything fun happens after 10:00 pm,” Holder said. “If you get off of work at 9:00 pm, and you want to hang out with friends after, you barely have time. You can’t do anything fun.”

    Another concern from local teens is that there aren’t enough places for them to go in the first place. Hate Out, a local organization that works with teens in our community, has been gathering feedback from local teens through surveys. Members of its Teen Task Force have asked teens what they would like to see improved rather than restricted. 

    According to Hate Out, teens have suggested more “third spaces,” or places that aren’t home or school where they can hang out safely without spending money. Suggestions included maker spaces – places to make music and art – study spaces, teen lounges, and more. Alternatively, Hate Out members also encouraged teens to get involved in local government by attending City Council meetings and speaking out. The organization’s Teen Task Force also allows teens to join. 

    “If there’s a problem with certain people, then address those people,” Teen Task Force member Nikoya Gooden said. “Instead of just punishing everybody under age in Winston-Salem.” 

    The future of the curfew is still being discussed as its October 12th expiration date gets closer. Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn has expressed that he wants the curfew to become permanent. City officials have yet to decide whether to renew the policy, change it, or let it expire. For teens, the decision could affect how they spend their evenings and how much freedom they have in the community. The debate over whether the curfew actually keeps young people safe or simply limits them is far from over.