JACKSON RESIDENT CALLS FOR CITYWIDE CURFEW

JACKSON -- A woman asked aldermen to "untie the police's hands" and institute a citywide curfew after a neighborhood disturbance.

Paula Salzmann told aldermen Monday night that until police came to her home Saturday night to answer her complaint about a loud party, she was unaware the city doesn't have a curfew for teen-agers.

Salzmann, who lives in the 200 block of South Union, said police have responded to previous complaints about loud parties in the neighborhood.

A window in the home was shot through twice in February, she said. Police are still investigating those shootings.

On Saturday "my family was awakened by the windows in our building vibrating from loud speakers, and there seemed to be a block party going on in front of our building," she said. When she looked outside, she said, she saw many young people gathered near her house.

"I'm already afraid of these people," Salzmann said. "Now I'm talking fear. But because I wanted the party stopped and I wanted the children cited, I made myself known by walking out and talking to the policemen and telling them where (the teen-agers) were."

A curfew "would have made me feel safer that night," she said. "I'll bet you there is not one parent involved with those children that knew what happened that night."

A curfew might not prevent teens from gathering and getting into mischief or worse, she said, but it would at least allow police to notify the parents of those who violate the ordinance.

"What one teenager might not do alone, he will do in a pack," she said.

Salzmann said it is important that city officials and residents are aware of incidents like what has happened in her neighborhood.

"It's not happening in Cape. It's not happening in St. Louis. It's happening here in Jackson. They're out and about and it might be your daughter or mother or grandmother that's out, and the pack might get them," she said. "I'm asking you to break up the pack and untie the police's hands. I'm making this my project."

City administrator Steve Wilson said curfew ordinances from other communities are being collected and will be reviewed by aldermen. Currently, he said, the only curfew in the city applies to parks.

Alderman Jack Piepenbrok, who presided at Monday night's meeting, said the board had previously discussed the curfew issue but had not taken any action.

"I can certainly understand and share your concern," he said, adding the board will discuss the issue. "We'll start by gathering information and getting reports from the police. Your concerns will be addressed."