SOURCE: New Nation News
http://www.newnation.vg/forums/showthread.php?p=257647#post257647

Controversial Curfew in Helena-West Helena
Reported by: Betsey Martin, KARK 4-News
Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 @05:06pm CST

The controversial mayor from Helena-West Helena who recently came under fire for releasing shelter dogs into a national forest....is raising eyebrows again.

Mayor James Valley has given residents in one high-crime neighborhood two choices.... go home or go to jail.

Valley's issued a mandatory curfew for Second Street and the surrounding blocks -- a place he considers to be a "hot spot" for crime. The curfew applies to anyone of any age at any time of day.

While the mayor's convinced this move will cut down on rapes, robberies and shootings in the area, some who live there feel their rights are being violated.

"This turf belongs to taxpaying citizens, not to hustlers and drug dealers....We are going to pop them in the head," Mayor Valley said.

"It's been like Jail - Jail - You can't come out your own home - you can't go to the store without being harassed by police," resident Richard Robinson said.

The mayor only has the power to issue a 48 hour curfew - so he says when this one expires, he'll issue another one, and another one.

At least ten people have been arrested since the curfew went into effect Thursday.