Is the curfew for everybody’s safety — or is it racist? That appears to be the question at the heart of the debate over a proposal for a four day curfew for the Ford Fireworks period. It will be the subject of debate Tuesday at Detroit City Council. The public will have an opportunity to weigh in. The curfew would keep kids off Detroit’s streets after 6 p.m.
Detroit has imposed a curfew for years during the annual downtown Ford Fireworks show, but police are requesting that it be stretched to four days: from June 19 through June 22. Anyone under age 18 and away from home would need to be with an adult or guardian, even if they’re miles from the Detroit River. There are some exceptions.
Critics contend it’s racist. Council member Andre Spivey says an expanded curfew seems to have “racial overtones”. The Ford Fireworks are Monday night June 22nd.