Why a Curfew Center?
The gathering of minors in the late-night and early-morning hours throughout the city of Stockton has become a growing problem. Over the last several years, the number of juveniles arrested for violent crimes in Stockton has increased dramatically. Violent crimes involving juveniles as either suspects or victims between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. are significant in number.

The City of Stockton believes enforcing the Curfew Ordinance will reduce the likelihood that minors will become involved in criminal acts and assist in keeping them from becoming victims of such criminal acts and acts of violence. It is also believed the enforcement will serve to assist parents and guardians in accounting for those minors in their care, as well as assist in identifying runaways and children who are neglected or in abusive situations at home.

The Stockton Curfew Ordinance creates a curfew between the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for persons under the age of 18 years. The Curfew Center operates from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.  Curfew violators can be processed on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday but the center is not open.

Once it has been determined by a Police Officer that a minor is in violation of the Curfew Ordinance, the juvenile is interviewed by the Officer and transported to the Curfew Center in Stockton. Upon arrival at the Curfew Center, staff members log the name of the juvenile in an activity log. The Juvenile Probation Department is contacted to determine if the juvenile has any outstanding warrants. Any juvenile with outstanding warrants will be transported to Juvenile Hall for processing. All other juveniles remain at the Center while their parents or guardians are notified and instructed to report to the Center to take them home. Special arrangements can be made in situations where juveniles cannot return home because of certain circumstances.