Council adopts youth-protection ordinance using Charlotte model, adopts local changes

The Fayetteville City Council voted 8–2 to adopt a youth-protection ordinance modeled on Charlotte’s Article 7 with local modifications, including a name change and adjusted curfew hours. The ordinance and associated policy direction were the product of prolonged debate about juvenile crime, community programs and enforcement logistics.

Councilmember Thompson moved to adopt language patterned on Charlotte’s code and asked the ordinance to be titled the “City Youth Protection Ordinance.” Thompson also proposed raising curfew hours in certain age brackets to 11 p.m. and adding complementary measures — such as expanded rec‑center programming, an identification system for rec‑center users and exploring a junior‑mayor youth engagement program — to be considered during budget deliberations. Several council members suggested treating the ordinance as a pilot to evaluate outcomes and directed staff to develop supporting wraparound services.

Opponents raised concerns about criminalizing youth and about whether a curfew would address the times and causes of juvenile-involved incidents. Council members cited recent increases in juvenile‑involved incidents (the city manager reported combined incident figures from recent reporting periods) and said the measure is one of several tools the city will use alongside youth programs and community partnerships.

The motion passed 8–2. Councilmember Benavente voted in opposition; the transcript recorded a second dissenting vote without a name in the roll call. The council asked the city manager, city attorney, police and relevant agencies to prepare implementation details, enforcement procedures, and proposals for complementary programming and to return on an expedited schedule.