Bakersfield's Curfew Bell, 1891-1988 - Gilbertgia.com

1918 approved of the chief’s curfew-enforcement policy, although it
also urged the chief to stringently enforce the law against minors
driving cars. 38
Historically, the curfew law of 1914, Ordnance No. 264, was
seldom enforced. In 1940 Bakersfield police justified their selective use
of it when they pointing out that the department kept “wayward
Bakersfield ‘bad boys’ under perpetual surveillance to reduce juvenile
delinquency.” 39 In late 1942 the curfew was dusted off again in
support of warnings to juveniles who were looking forward to a lively
Halloween: “DON’T ring doorbells, you may disturb a war worker.
DON’T use tick-tocks on windows, war workers need their sleep.” 40
Curfew enforcement reemerged in 1957 with an upswing in
residential burglaries, half of which were committed by juveniles. 41
Ordnance No. 264 was once again Bakersfield’s Elastic Clause. 42
< O >
38 Morning Echo, Nov 13, 1919
39 Bakersfield Californian, Jul 17, 1940
40 Halloween, City Invokes Curfew Law for Juveniles. If You’re Under 21, Don’t Roam
Streets After 9 P.M. Tonight or Saturday, Bakersfield Californian, Oct 30, 1942.
41 Bakersfield Californian, Dec 31, 1957
42 On Nov 30, 1988 the Bakersfield City Council passed Municipal Ordinance No.
3188, which established a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am “for persons under the age of
18 years.”
Bakersfield’s Curfew Bell, www.gilbertgia.com 13