Mayor Emanuel Reminds Parents of Stricter Curfew, Announces Community Anti-Violence Measures

Chicago - Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he is taking steps to keep neighborhoods safe, emphasizing Friday parents will be held responsible if their kids are out past a city-mandated curfew.

Emanuel greeted commuters Friday at the CTA station at 95th and the Dan Ryan, telling parents about the stricter curfew law.

"We passed something that makes parents responsible," Emanuel said.

Emanuel said stronger curfew laws are part of a bigger crime fighting strategy, along with building stronger ties in the community.

What's most important, however, is getting kids inside at night, the mayor said.

Under a newly-passed law, children under 12 have to be inside after 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and after 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It takes affect Sept. 18th.

Emanuel also announced A Force for Good, a police program that won a federal grant to teach 25 community organizations how to become stronger in their neighborhoods. The organizations will get training on how to raise more money and apply for grants.

He announced the program at Breakthrough Urban Ministries, which provides homeless support, youth development and food to 1,100 needy families. Breakthrough is an anchor in the Garfield Park neighborhood and, Emanuel said, part of crime prevention.