D.C. mayor wants to expand youth curfew
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Incidents have been reported on U Street. Photo: Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via Getty Images
D.C. wants to expand its youth curfews this summer with longer hours and targeted neighborhoods.
Why it matters: Large gatherings of juveniles are increasingly spawning brawls that lead to arrests, including in downtown and at The Wharf, city officials say.
State of play: Mayor Muriel Bowser is proposing starting the city's juvenile curfew an hour earlier, at 11pm daily in July and August, and including 17-year-olds.
- Currently, the curfew applies to kids 16 and under and begins at midnight during July and August.
- The emergency law that Bowser wants to take effect would also allow the police chief to create an "extended juvenile curfew zone." In defined areas, curfews would begin at 7pm and last 15 consecutive days, or up to 30 days based on public safety considerations.
What they're saying: An uptick in "large groups of juveniles engaging in harmful, and often times criminal conduct" led to the proposal, the mayor said. Her office notes incidents in Navy Yard, Dupont Circle, U Street and more.
- "Most of our young people are doing the right thing, but unfortunately, we continue to see troubling trends in how groups of young people are gathering in the community," Bowser said in a statement.
Between the lines: Juvenile crime traditionally increases when schools are out during the summer.
- This month, part of U Street was shut down after reports of youth fights, per the Washington Post.
Zoom in: During Memorial Day weekend, a temporary curfew took effect at the privately owned Wharf. It required that anyone under 18 be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older between 5pm and 5am, per NBC4.
- It was imposed after crowds of teenagers descended on the Wharf, "causing disturbances" and dancing on restaurant tables, said police chief Pamela Smith.
What's ahead: The D.C. Council will consider passing Bowser's emergency legislation at its July 1 meeting.