<p>My daughter is a Swat soph and I have spent considerable time staying “in the ville” for the past year. The ville is usually a very nice, safe, accepting place. I can’t say enough about Swarthmore’s campus and staff.</p>
<p>However, I noticed on weather friendly nights teenagers tended to gather and “hang out”. We were all young once but this bunch is unruly. Last summer was especially terrible not only since school was out, but kids from nearby communities with curfews began gathering in Swarthmore as well. </p>
<p>I was shocked at the cursing, yelling, loud obnoxious music playing, disrespectful behavior going on. I witnessed the front window of a shop being broken, a glass bottle thrown by a group at two men in their twenties for no apparent reason, a young man in another group, pulling his pants down in front of me and a couple with a toddler, pushing a baby around 5 p.m.</p>
<p>The night the bottle was thrown there had to be 30 kids split up in groups. Along with Swat teens, you can see the kids arrive on foot, bike, by car, train, as the night progresses and the surrounding towns curfews become enforceable.
I know Swarthmore College and the ville (police) are making every effort to protect students and residents alike. It is my opinion that a curfew for Swarthmore would be prudent (especially before summer). Just my opinion.</p>