Charleston, South Carolina – King Street shop owners report an improvement since the juvenile curfew was implemented.
Charleston police implemented a curfew in June that prohibits anybody under the age of 17 from being in the Central Business District between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. They stated they have arrested or cited six people since the curfew began on June 27.
The curfew extends across the downtown area, including parts of King, Carolina, Broad, and Meeting Streets.
Some business owners have noticed a substantial improvement.
“Just kind of getting in the way and up to no good,” Roy Neal, proprietor of El Jefe Texican Cantina, said of the youths’ presence before the curfew was lifted. “He sponsored an initiative with the support of the county city council, essentially a curfew, to keep people off the grounds of King Street after I believe 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., and we’ve seen a significant decline. When you don’t have those guys roaming around on King Street at night, it’s much better for the businesses.”
The curfew for people aged 17 and younger is in place Thursday through Sunday until May, and then every day during the summer.
