Do Youth Curfews Help Curb Crime?

Hundreds of towns, cities and counties across the country impose curfews on young people.

On September 1st a curfew went into effect in seven neighborhoods across the District of Columbia that will affect those aged 17 and under.

Like many other cities, the nation's capital has seen an increase in violent crime. And some of the most shocking crimes have been committed by young people.

Teens as young as thirteen as well as pre-teens have been suspected of, or charged with carjacking. In the past couple of months a 14 year-old and a 16 year-old have been charged with murder. And young people are also the victims of violent.

Keeping kids inside at night may seem like a good strategy for cities facing a surge in youth violence. But experts say that research doesn't back up the effectiveness of curfews.

Host Scott Detrow speaks with Kristin Henning, director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic at Georgetown University about what does and doesn't work.

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