Charles City, IA- Late night trouble in a North Iowa community is prompting city leaders to seriously discuss a possible curfew.
Some people living in Charles City want a law to keep kids off the streets after a certain hour.
Most parents we talked to are in favor of a curfew. They say it would not only be a tool for police, but for them as well.
I also talked to some teens. They aren't happy about the idea of having to be home at certain time each night, but they understand why a proposed curfew is finding support.
Charles City parents Jim Meyer and his fiancée Emily Kemp just opened shop in downtown Charles City two weeks ago.
They happen to be right next to a popular teenage hot spot. They say what happens after the show is cause for concern.
"As a business owner on Main Street and as a parent that activity on Main Street and damages done to some of the businesses and some of the buildings it's just ridiculous," Kemp said.
From broken sculptures, to spray painted walls, the damage is prompting an effort to keep kids indoors.
"Kids need to have something to do, but after a certain time of right they shouldn't be out wandering around finding trouble," Meyer said.
Some Charles City teens we're talking to say their friends won't be very supportive.
"They like to hang out you know, and if they probably have to be home early and stuff they'll probably be mad," said 17-year-old Miranda Factor.
But several people in Charles City favor giving police the power to send kids home early. Jeff and Emily say it's an idea most parents already enforce themselves.
"Most of the parents are the same way we are they're gonna have more supervision they're gonna know where their children are and what they are doing, its unfortunate some don't care enough to know," Meyer said.
Yet teens say even good parenting doesn't always work.
"Well some people don't listen to their parents," said Factor.
"They'll go sneak out or something," said 18-year-old Amanda Klusman.
That's why even they agree, a curfew may be needed.
"People like to start drama, and there's stuff getting damaged around the city, and this towns turning into really bad," said Klusman.
"Stuff that's getting vandalized wouldn't be getting vandalized," said Factor.
Wednesday night city leaders will discuss the curfew at a city council workshop. They'll also consider closing down the community's five main parks early, maybe from eleven at night until five in the morning.
Charles City's Police Chief is researching other curfew's already in place in North Iowa including Forest City and Rockford. He will make a presentation on his findings to the council at the workshop.
