The effects of curfews on juvenile criminal activity: an individual-level analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of juvenile curfews on the criminal activities of young adults. Using individual-level data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth – Geocode (NLSY) data set and estimating an economic model of crime for young adults, this study finds that although curfews have no statistically significant effect on the criminal behaviour of young adults, they do have a negative effect on the arrests of young adults. These results differ somewhat from the results of prior studies but lend support to community officials who believe that curfews are an effective tool in combating juvenile crime.

Acknowledgments

This research was conducted with restricted access to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.