EDITORIAL
Curfew no answer to illegal park use

There's no question that increased vandalism, drug use and drinking and other unwanted activities in city parks have become a problem.

So the impulse behind a proposal by City Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz to close most parks at night is understandable. And Donovan offers a number of exceptions to the ban, including direct requests from neighbors to keep a park open, sanctioned nighttime activities and traditional Hawaiian uses.

But a universal curfew, even with exceptions, should not be the answer. The solution to noisome use of the parks at night by the illegitimate few should not be a reason to deny those taxpayer-supported facilities to the legitimate many.

City officials point out that they already have the power to selectively close parks at night when unwanted activities get out of hand. And the police have the authority, if not always the manpower, to enforce rules whether it is in the middle of the night or the middle of the day.

We don't want to abandon our parks to the punks and thugs. Where problems get out of hand, a temporary closure might make sense. In addition, the city should look into creating police substations in the most popular parks, such as Ala Moana.

If a curfew is imposed, it would most directly impact law-abiding citizens who are not a problem. Those who are prepared to break the law are unlikely to be deterred by a curfew backed up by a small fine.