Teen Curfew Discussions Resurface After Shooting In Pasco County
Dustin Sean White’s shooting death Saturday night has given new life to discussions on reestablishing a teen curfew in Tampa to help stem violence among our areas teenage population (read more here). Dustin had just finished his junior year at Land O’ Lakes High School and was gathered with a group of friends at the Lake Padgett Estates clubhouse following a party where he was gunned down shortly after 2:00 a.m. If you were unaware, Tampa once had a curfew in the late 90’s for teens but the curfew law was struck down by the Florida Supreme Court in 2004.
The curfew discussion seems to be rather pointless considering Pasco has a county ordinance that restricts teens under 18 from being out between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and between midnight and 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. That county ordinance seems to have had little effect on saving Dustin’s life. Hillsborough County does not have a curfew but police are on the lookout for minors out on the streets during late night hours.
If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime please contact Darren Finebloom at 1800-FIGHT-IT or online at www.fightyourcase.com.
