“When you take kids inside, maybe they are less likely to be the victims,” said study author and Purdue University economist Jillian Carr. “But if you think that not having witnesses and potential victims around makes it a little easier for someone to pull the trigger, that can explain why you might see an increase in gun violence during those times.”
Carr’s work was based on the number of gunshots recorded by an audio-based gunshot detection technology called ShotSpotter and did not track shooting injuries or deaths.
She also expressed concerns about the curfew being disproportionately enforced on Black teenagers, and creating opportunities for police-teenager interactions to escalate to violence.
Kendra Van de Water, executive director at YEAH Philly, said she doesn’t believe a curfew will stop anyone who is intent on shooting someone else, and that the city needs to do more to address the root causes of gun violence instead. She also worries it’s a misdirection of police resources.
“If we’re talking about PPD having a shortage of officers, and we have a low clearance rate for fatals and non-fatals, and then you want police to enforce curfew?” she said.
The number of curfew violations issued by PPD doubled between July 2021 and July 2022, from 558 to 1146. Police did not respond to WHYY’s request for comment on the reason for the jump.
Kimberly Reese, director of a youth nonprofit called Guiding Stars, said parents of the teens she works with have been calling for the change, because they want their kids to be safe at home. She doesn’t buy the argument about busier streets being safer streets.
“We have multiple shootings in broad daylight with people walking down the street,” she said. “So to have more people outside is not going to stop people from being violent.”
Some activists have called on parents to be more informed about their children’s whereabouts at all times, but especially late at night.
Councilmember Gilmore Richardson says she’s hopeful that the curfew centers will help provide youth with the support and mentorship they need to refrain and protect themselves from violence. The city plans to open locations in central and Northwest Philadelphia in August, making a total of four curfew centers. The FY 22 budget included $1.3 million for the centers, and the FY 23 budget includes $3 million.
If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence in Philadelphia, you can find grief support and resources here.