Curfew Unblocked File

[Author], “Curfew Unblocked: Rethinking Juvenile Restrictions,” Journal of Progressive Criminology , forthcoming.

Curfew Unblocked: Rethinking Juvenile Restrictions Through Libertarian Paternalism and Community Trust curfew unblocked

Traditional juvenile curfews have long been employed as a tool to reduce nighttime crime and victimization. However, emerging data and sociological critiques suggest that blanket restrictions often lead to unintended consequences: criminalizing normative behavior, straining police-community relations, and failing to address root causes of delinquency. This paper explores the concept of a “curfew unblocked”—a policy shift away from punitive time-based restrictions toward rehabilitative, trust-based interventions. Drawing on evidence from cities that have repealed or reformed curfew ordinances, we argue that unblocking curfews (i.e., removing blanket bans) in favor of targeted, resource-driven strategies can reduce arrests of at-risk youth without increasing crime rates. This paper explores the concept of a “curfew