In an effort to address rising violence, the Gila River Indian Community has implemented a curfew for individuals under the age of 18. The curfew will be in effect from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. each night, beginning yesterday and continuing through March 9, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
The decision to implement the curfew came on the heels of various criminal activities, including a shooting incident reported by the Gila River Police Department on their Facebook page. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis characterized the situation as a "public safety emergency," stating on Instagram, "I will always take action whenever necessary to protect the Community's youth," and urging residents to report any criminal activity, according to 12 News.
There are certain exemptions to the curfew rule; for instance, minors accompanied by parents or guardians will not be held to curfew enforcement. Moreover, those engaged in work, school, or community-sponsored events will also be unrestricted during the curfew hours. Adults found causing a minor to breach the curfew rules could, however, face either civil or criminal consequences.
Local education has felt the impact, with the Sacaton School District canceling home games for middle school sports and moving them to alternate locations. The curfew has led to the postponement of cultural events as well, including Sacaton Elementary School's Culture Night, which had been eagerly awaited by the community before its rescheduling. Meanwhile, amidst the tribulations of policing and community safety, Sacaton's baseball team remains slated to join the fray of league playoffs on March 3 and 4.
