AUGUSTA, Ga () – We are hearing reaction from the community to the plans to step up enforcement of the downtown curfew.

While the curfew is nothing new, Sheriff Brantley wanted to reinforce the juvenile curfew right before schools are back in session.

That’s good news for some people who work and live downtown.

They say large groups of young people can quickly get out of control and cause some big problems.

“Why are the parents letting them out in the first place is the biggest issue. If the parents aren’t going to do anything then things will happen, it’s just kind of a natural progression. I hate that it came to this but I also see the outcomes,” said Michael Jeffhopkins Jr., Augusta Resident 

Jeffhopkins tells me that it is nice seeing policeman out on the streets at night but wishes they were not all in one centralized area.

“It’s cool to see more visibility but at times it can almost seem counterproductive. Having visibility is one thing but sometimes it feels a bit overpoliced, not to say that they shouldn’t be there but just spread out a bit more,” Jeffhopkins said. 

He works downtown and says enforcing the curfew is the right move.

“It’s been a growing issue, the youths being out, you’ll see large groups of kids and you know they’re kids, there does need to be some form of control,” said Jeffhopkins.

The curfew on weekdays will be 11pm to 5am and 12am to 5am on weekends.