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Council adopts emergency juvenile curfew with tighter safeguards, warnings and shortened duration
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Summary
To address late‑night large‑group incidents, the council passed a summer emergency juvenile curfew with a narrowed curfew hour (8 p.m. start in some cases), a requirement for two audible warnings, body‑worn camera recording of warnings, and a limit on zone duration; the measure is temporary and includes an expectation of expanded youth programming.
The council passed an emergency amendment and the underlying Juvenile Curfew Emergency Amendment Act on July 1, giving the mayor and MPD temporary authority to designate geographic curfew zones during the summer while requiring stronger guardrails than earlier drafts.
Councilmember Parker, co‑moving an amendment with Councilmember Pinto, said the changes were intended to "reduce harm by targeting only the maximally harmful behavior," adding officer‑warning requirements, shortening the number of days a zone can be in effect, and changing the earliest effective hour to 8 p.m. in most cases. Parker's amendment requires two audible warnings before any detention and mandates that officers capture the interaction on body‑worn cameras.
Sponsors stressed the emergency is limited to summer months and does not criminalize curfew violations; Councilmember Pinto reminded the chamber that curfew violations are not crimes, and that juveniles without a guardian at pickup are transported to DYRS or CFSA as appropriate.
Councilmembers emphasized that the curfew is one tool among many and urged investment in youth programming; multiple speakers, including ANC representatives and business improvement districts, described coordinated outreach and prevention efforts in locations such as Navy Yard and the Wharf.
The council adopted the amendment and the underlying emergency bill by voice vote. Members said the measure will be treated as temporary while the council and agencies evaluate results and capacity requirements at the Youth Services Center.
