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McCarthy: Police Ready To Enforce New Curfew Law

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police Supt. Garry McCarthy says his department is more than ready to enforce the city's expanded curfew law, despite a manpower shortage.

As WBBM Newsradio 780 Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, the Chicago Police force still is not up to full strength, and there is under pressure to trim the budget.

But if people are worrying about whether officers will be serious about keeping kids younger than 12 off the streets after 8:30 p.m., McCarthy reassures them.

"It's been reported – rightfully so – that curfew enforcement is down in 2011," McCarthy said. "However, it's up dramatically in the last month. We've got more than 800 more curfew enforcement actions this year than we did last year, in the last month."

The spike in enforcement coincides with the start of McCarthy's tenure as Chicago Police superintendent.

The City Council passed the new curfew ordinance on Thursday. Under the new law children under 12 must be inside by 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m. on weekends, while children between the ages of 12 and 16 must be in by 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends.

Violators are subject to a fine of up to $500 or community service. Three offenses in a period of one year carry a fine of up to $1,500 in addition to the community service.

McCarthy is the guest on Newsradio 780's "At Issue" program, which will air Sunday and 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.

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