Curfews effect on crime questioned

Many communities have curfews in place to keep teens off the streets and out of trouble, but do they succeed in accomplishing that goal?
An article in today's Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian questions the tactic:

Many teenagers chafe under the restrictions of the curfew. Some enjoying Monday's holiday at West Park Mall said they don't like the laws.

"I think it should be extended," said Mike Sturgeon, 13, a student at Central Junior High School.

Brittney Choate, 13, also of Central Junior High, agreed. "Yeah, we spend so much time at school and on the weekends we really don't get much more time," she said. "At school they're always telling us to do work, so we should be able to spend our free time how we want to."

Teens mostly rejected the idea that curfew laws decrease crime.

"If they're going to do it, they're going to find time to do it, whether there's a curfew or not," said Macayla Hopple, 13.