ACLU, residents rap Bridgeport curfew as harsh

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) -- Bridgeport residents organized by the American Civil Liberties Union are criticizing Mayor Bill Finch's youth curfew as overly harsh and punitive.

The ACLU has been a critic of the curfew in Connecticut's largest city and elsewhere. It says the restrictions violate basic freedoms and may lead to racial profiling.

The Connecticut Post reports that a meeting on Wednesday was aimed at encouraging residents to hold city officials and police more accountable.

One resident says Finch has imprisoned Bridgeport with the curfew.

Finch said Wednesday his focus is on keeping residents, particularly young people, safe.

The mayor and City Council enacted the curfew in August, restricting the night-time movement of unsupervised youths under 18.

Police have so far issued six verbal warnings and two written warnings. Parents of repeat offenders can face fines of up to $99.

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Information from: Connecticut Post