Lewiston, Maine, Enforces Earlier Curfew to Address Rising Gun Violence

Starting Friday, November 15, Lewiston will be making a change that will affect its minor residents.

They will be adding stricter curfew rules for teens/minors.

The Lewiston City Council voted unanimously back in October to enforce a 10 p.m. curfew every single night of the week, according to WGME.

Why? This is to address the growing issue of teen gun violence in the city of Lewiston. We've all seen it in the news, gun violence feels more common than ever

Before this change, the curfew for minors was 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, the news station reported.

According to WGME, the change in curfew is a direct result of the alarming stats.

The statistics show that from January through August, Lewiston has experienced 25 shootings with a rise in teens committing violent crimes and carrying firearms.

At a recent city council meeting, the police chief said that officers confiscated guns from two minors under 17 after stopping them for smoking marijuana late at night, according to news station.

City Councilor Ryn Soul does support the earlier curfew. And he's hoping that this will be a tool to help both parents and law enforcement.

Ryn said in the news station article,

"I just really hope that it becomes a tool for the police as well as parents to maybe to help get their kids home at a decent time and not have them out in the street because again nothing good happens after 10 p.m.,” Soul said. "As a mother, as a resident, the increase in violence has become very concerning. And as a councilor, I can do something about that. And this is just one small tool to help the police and hopefully help parents."

As per the post, there will be exceptions for students that are out past 10 who participate in school, religious, or city-sponsored activities.

If you are interested in city issues and want to be a part of the Lewiston City Council meetings they take place at 7 pm, the first and third Tuesday of each month at Lewiston City Hall on Pine Street.