DC Council approves long-term youth curfew measure
The District of Columbia Council voted too approve a long-term youth curfew policy that lets the police chief declare special 8 p.m. curfew zones for youths through 2028. The measure is not an emergency action, so it must still go through congressional review, and the mayor and police chief’s current temporary authority is set to expire in about 10 days.
The curfew push follows repeated “teen takeover” incidents in parts of the city, including Navy Yard and U Street, where gatherings promoted on social media have led to chaotic scenes and arrests after fights. The policy is meant to curb these group gatherings by restricting under-18s from being out in groups of nine or more after 8 p.m. Additionally, ther woudl be a broader citywide youth curfew of 11 p.m. on most nights and midnight on weekends if congress approves.
Councilwoman Brooke Pinto supported the measure,arguing it equips local police to respond during disturbances.Curfew violations themselves are not criminal, meaning police would generally be unable to arrest youths solely for breaking the curfew unless other criminal activity occurs.
The Council of the District of Columbia voted Tuesday to approve a long-term youth curfew measure, extending the police chief’s power to declare special 8 p.m. youth curfew zones through 2028.
The approval could take months to take effect, as the measure still faces congressional review. The council did not choose to approve an emergency curfew, meaning that the mayor and police chief’s authority to set temporary youth curfew zones will expire in 10 days.
Recommended Stories
The youth curfew zone debate marks one of the most divisive issues facing the city council, with Mayor Muriel Bowser urging council members to act amid mounting federal scrutiny over the youths’ behavior
The measure follows a series of “teen takeovers” throughout the district in neighborhoods such as Navy Yard and U Street. In some cases, the so-called takeovers have resulted in chaotic scenes. Early last month, several teenagers were arrested after fights broke out in front of King-Greenleaf Recreation Center in Navy Yard.
The district youth would often advertise the gatherings on social media, resulting in hundreds of teenagers gathering in already busy parts of the city.
In response, the council approved a series of temporary measures giving the mayor and police chief the authority to declare temporary youth curfew zones, barring young people from gathering after 8 p.m. in groups of nine or more.
City Councilwoman Brooke Pinto, one of the bill’s sponsors, spoke in support of the measure.
“This is a limited authority that should absolutely be extended,” Pinto, who is also running for district delegate, said in a statement to NBC4. “To me, it’s kind of like saying if there’s a riot, we should enable and empower our own local police department to be able to respond. Why on earth we wouldn’t want to do that in these instances is not something I can understand.”
COMER DEMANDS RECORDS AFTER DC POLICE LEADERS SIDELINED AMID ALLEGED CRIME DATA MANIPULATION
If granted congressional approval, the police chief would have the authority to declare special 8 p.m. curfews for anyone under the age of 18 and in groups of nine or more, with a citywide youth curfew of 11 p.m. on most nights and midnight on weekends.
Curfew violations are not criminal offenses, so district police could not arrest a young person unless they were committing a criminal act such as assault or theft.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
