A curfew imposed in an effort to curb violence on the troubled reserve at Hobbema has been violated 120 times over the last three months, but the community believes it is working.

The 10 p.m. curfew was brought into effect on the Samson Cree First Nation reserve, 100 kilometres south of Edmonton, after a stray bullet in a gang-related shooting hit a toddler as she ate dinner in her grandfather’s home in April.

Two-year-old Asia Saddleback recovered, but still has part of a bullet lodged in her body.

Community members said Wednesday the curfew is one way to help stop the gang violence, and despite the shooting death of a 16-year-old boy on Sunday, they are describing the curfew as a success.

Judy Louis, who works with the Hobbema Cadets youth group, said she has discussed the curfew with the cadets, and they accept it. She said one cadet told her they obey it, even if it means breaking a party up early.

"And when they heard that siren go, he said, all the kids scattered immediately and went home. So, the kids are respectful of it, and I think they understand the need for it," Louis said.

She said she welcomed the curfew, as did other residents of the reserve, because the idea came from the community.

Louis admitted not all teens will respect it, but she believes it is having a positive effect on the community.

RCMP Cpl. Darrel Bruno agreed the curfew is working even though police have had to deal with teenagers flouting it, and said the extra patrols make it easier to track gang activity.

"For the most part it has been working, with the exception of this one incident [last Sunday]. And we will continue to enforce the curfew, with the assistance of the community itself, as well,” he said.

Bruno said the three other Hobbema band councils are considering curfews for their communities.

But, he said, a curfew is only one way for the community to target gang and gun violence.

On Friday a four-month gun amnesty takes effect. Announced last week, it will allow Hobbema residents to hand over their illegal or unwanted firearms and ammunition to the Mounties from Aug. 1 to Nov. 30 without facing charges for possessing unregistered and unlicensed weapons.