Summertime is trouble time and a good time to say “bravo” to a Chicago Alderman trying to prevent trouble. That’s Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward, which includes part of the downtown business district and West Loop, River North, and Streeterville. Hopkins has proposed an 8:00 PM curfew for children under 18 walking those neighborhoods unaccompanied by a parent or guardian to prevent misbehaving and dangerous children from breaking into stores to steal things or just roaming around looking for trouble, beating up a tourist or a neighbor or two enjoying an evening outdoors. That happens. We all know it happens as it did happen at 9:15 PM recently in Streeterville. A bunch of teenage bullies walked up to a 40-year-old pregnant neighbor and her husband. According to police, one of the bunch said to the couple, “We own this neighborhood and we want you out of it.” A 14-year-old bully boy then punched the husband while a 16-year-old bully girl grabbed his wife’s hair, knocked her down, and dragged her along the cement sidewalk. The bullies ran away but were caught, arrested, and charged with battery. She lost her baby. The Hopkins 8 PM curfew is opposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson and a few members of the City Council who sent the curfew to a committee to stop it from being passed, saying it’ll violate the First Amendment to the Constitution that guarantees the right to free speech. And they say it’s confusing to enforce, will punish non-criminal behavior, and cause a drain on Police Department resources. The mayor and members of City Council opposing the curfew also say it’s unnecessary. I say they’re unnecessary.

Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective: