The law was thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court and sparked years of heated debate, but on Tuesday a group of high school students groaned in unison upon hearing for the first time about the new gang and narcotics loitering ordinances.
A contingent of police and prosecutors spread the word at Englewood Technical Academy to help students avoid being arrested and jailed this summer.
The ordinance will allow police to approach gang members in groups of three or more or single youths who appear to be engaged in drug activity in pre-determined areas called “hot spots.” Police will advise them they are in an area where such activity is prohibited and order them to move on and stay away for three hours or risk being arrested on a misdemeanor charge.
The revised ordinance was enacted in April and police will begin to enforce it in coming weeks.
“Leaving a place for three hours–I think that is too much,” said freshman Jacob Roberson, 15. “We don’t hardly get enough time (to be outside) now when we come home from school.”
Although Roberson said he enjoys hanging out with his friends, he said he would comply with police if they ask. “I’ll move because there’s other places to go,” he said.
Cmdr. Maurice Ford, Lt. Mary Glynn-Johnson and representatives from the state’s attorney’s office and the corporation counsel’s office have visited three of the four Englewood high schools to tell hundreds of students about the new law.
“We’re here because we want to make sure you understand the new ordinance, so this summer, you can go out and be teenagers and have a wonderful time and not wind up going to jail,” Ford said. “I do not want to see one of you get in trouble.”
After explaining the ordinance, they answered the students’ questions. Finally, a student asked the officers how they can tell gang members from anyone else.
The answer–that gang and tactical unit officers know who the gang members are and that it sometimes comes down to colors worn and clothing styles, like one where one pant leg is shoved up on the calf while the other is down–drew raucous laughter from 300 students.
The new ordinance revises an earlier law that was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court last June. It allows police Supt. Terry Hillard to designate certain well-defined areas where drug dealing and gang violence occur as “hot spots” and the ordinances can only be enforced in those areas.
“It’s good they’re enforcing the laws more,” said freshman Anna Stewart, 16. “It will keep some of the kids off the street and people won’t get killed as much.”
Stewart said if she’s with someone who is asked to move on, she’ll leave even if they decide not to. “Hey, I’m moving on because I don’t have time to play with the law,” Stewart said.
Another student, a 9th grader who said he has a pending drug case, said he disliked the ordinance, but would comply.
“I’m going to have to move on,” he said. “I’m trying to stay out of trouble.”
