Chief Warns of Violations of Norwood’s Teenage Curfew-July 08, 1965

To Result In Court Prosecution

In a firm declaration regarding public safety and parental responsibility, Norwood Police Chief James M. Murphy announced a new series of directives aimed at curbing juvenile delinquency within the town. Chief Murphy, speaking to the Patriot Ledger on July 08, 1965, detailed his intent to enforce stricter measures regarding youth conduct, specifically focusing on the mandatory 10 p.m. curfew for all residents aged 16 and under. Under these new orders, officers are instructed to bring the parents of any teenager taken into custody for an offense directly to the police station. Chief Murphy issued a stern warning that continued violation of curfew laws and regulations concerning evening activities would result in formal court prosecution for the parents involved.

The Chief, himself a father of ten children, addressed the growing concern of excessive alcohol consumption among local teenagers. He attributed a significant portion of this issue to a perceived lack of parental engagement. “One main reason why teenagers today are drinking too much, too often and at too early an age is because parents themselves are too busy out sipping their own beer rather than taking part in family activities with their children,” Chief Murphy stated. He emphasized that the role of the police department is not to act as a substitute for parental guidance. “Police officers are not and will not be baby sitters for those parents who want to frequent drinking establishments,” he remarked, noting that he expects greater cooperation from the community to foster a more disciplined environment.

Reflecting on recent incidents, the Chief recounted frustrating encounters where parents denied the misbehavior of their children. “When we pick up a young boy or girl and not necessarily for drinking, you often hear the parents tell us ‘Oh no, my child did not do anything like that’,” he said. He further illustrated the severity of the situation by noting, “It’s a sad case when police arrest a 10-year-old for shoplifting and then several hours later cannot locate his parents.” According to the Chief, approximately 95 percent of youth-related trouble stems from issues within the home, and he placed the burden of character development squarely on the shoulders of the parents rather than on schools, churches, or the police.

Chief Murphy stressed that the lack of discipline and respect for elders significantly handicaps children in the long term. He noted, “The reason kids are getting into trouble with the cops is because cops are the first people they meet who say and mean it, ‘You can’t do that’.” For repeat offenders, the Chief warned that parents found to be at fault would be summoned to court on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Furthermore, he offered opinions on youth appearance, suggesting that girls should avoid “tight sweaters and other revealing apparel” and that boys should take greater pride in their grooming. “God has placed the responsibility of raising the young in the hands of the parents — not the police, the school or the church,” he asserted. As the town faces a sharp increase in the local crime rate, Chief Murphy urged residents to support law enforcement efforts to stabilize the community.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger