CLEVES — It's supposed to be good for business, but a controversial 5 p.m. curfew here has enraged the village's youth.

On South Miami Avenue Friday afternoon, Lee Bales, 16, walks Thunder, who greets neighbor J.J. Adkins. Lee's sister Melissa, walks their brother Nick, 3. By 5 p.m., they have to be off the streets. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        On Friday, usually the most happening night for Miami Avenue and Main Street, they wanted to ride their bikes, walk down the sidewalk and huddle in gossiping crowds. There's not much else to do in this small Ohio River village (population 2,790) in western Hamilton County.

        But they stayed away from the central business district, where small business owners have become so angry at unruly teens that they convinced council members on Wednesday to begin enforcing a curfew that strikes before dark.

        “I've seen some of the intimidation they exhibit. ... There are a lot of problems. It was a smart call on the part of the mayor,” said Jerry Schwartz, a Miami Avenue shop owner who likened roving groups of teens to “gang gatherings.”

        What's good for the grown-ups isn't necessarily good for the teens. Because of the new curfew in the business district, those 17 and under will be cited and fined $100 if found in violation. Teens accompanied by a parent are exempt. The restriction on their social life will last at least a month.

        “We don't think it's fair. Why should they keep us in when we weren't the ones” causing trouble, asked Brittney Hamilton, 11, after getting off the bus Friday afternoon.

        She planned to spend the night at a friend's house. Normally, they would hang out on Miami Avenue, but the curfew had them thinking about watching TV.

        “We'll be bouncing off the walls,” she said.

        A select few kids inspired the curfew, Mayor Joe Whitton said. For the past year, about 30 youths have loitered, littered, fought and cussed at passersby in the business district. According to business owners, their unruliness starts in the afternoon, usually after school's done, and continues until 10 p.m. Talking to them hasn't worked.

        “The business district is not a playground. It is a place of commerce,” Mr. Whitton said. “Everyone wants something done. It's just like anywhere else in society. You have some willing to follow the rules and some who just don't have common respect for their fellow citizens. This is a temporary measure. If they'd be respectful (and) stop cussing ... they're burning up a lot of resources.”

        The village has 16 part-time police officers. On most evenings, only one is on duty.

        The curfew upsets Lee Bales, 16. On Friday, he was walking down Miami Avenue, heading to the bank with his sister.

        Lee believes police officers harass the village's youth. The curfew is proof.

        “It's stupid,” he said. “They're trying to make it so we can't do anything.”

        But Alan Montague, 48, of nearby North Bend, has witnessed the unruly behavior and approves of the curfew. The village has been forced to act as parents of the troublemakers. “They need to be looked after. If parents don't do it, that leaves law enforcers. Cleves is doing the right thing.”

        Something had to be done, agreed Sue Hamilton, owner of Nature Nook Florists.

        Just this week, a group of youths were cursing and spitting outside the business' back door.

        “Five o'clock is a little early,” she said. But, “It is the school year. They do have homework. They should probably be at home.”
       The Cincinnati Enquirer/

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