In the wake of flash-mob riots in several cities, fears of gang violence and age-old anxiety about kids on the streets, authorities in Philadelphia, Chicago and other cities are adopting or beefing up curfews that ban youths from being in public during school hours and at night.

Juvenile curfews are unique to the U.S. No other country, including those in Latin America and Asia or even the U.K. during recent riots in London, invokes such measures except during national emergencies -- and then they apply to all ages.

We're presently experiencing a nationwide rash of youth curfew laws. These laws represent a stupid presumption of guilt that would never fly if applied to a different segment of our society. American society continues to have the unique point of view that people under the age of 18 are subhuman "minors" for whom normal standards of fair treatment, legal protection, and civil rights do not apply.

What's that?

The evidence does not support the argument that curfews prevent crime.

Lets hear that again.

The evidence does not support the argument that curfews prevent crime.