TRENTON, N.J. – Police in New Jersey's capital city have reinstated a curfew for juveniles but it's the decision to drop some of the youth who break curfew off at area churches for counseling that has led to some push back.
Critics of the ordinance think the plan bends church-and-state separation rules and also unfairly targets Trenton's youth.
Trenton began enforcing a midnight to 6 a.m. curfew last month. If the youths have nowhere to go, police can drop them off at certain faith-based organizations. The department says church leaders cannot talk about religion and that it's more about fostering unity between the community and police officers.
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey says in addition to curfews violating basic rights, several non-religious drop-off alternatives must be offered to youths.
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