The D.C. City Council voted against extending a curfew aimed at reducing youth violence despite divided opinions among members.
WASHINGTON — The D.C. City Council voted Tuesday not to extend a summer curfew aimed at curbing youth violence in parts of the city, including the Navy Yard neighborhood, where recent incidents have left some residents on edge.
The curfew, which began over the summer through emergency legislation, prohibited groups of juveniles 17 and under from gathering in designated areas after 8 p.m. Navy Yard was among several “Juvenile Curfew Enforcement Zones” established by the city to deter violent incidents.
A neighbor who asked to remain anonymous shared exclusive cell phone video with WUSA9 showing what appears to be a group of young people fighting in an alley near L Street in Navy Yard on Monday.
“I thought that I was tough, and they have even me scared to come outside,” the resident said. “It really is terrible. The juveniles are disrespectful and just totally out of control.”
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Brian Strege, who supported the curfew, said the measure seemed to have a positive impact over the summer.
“I think the sense from our commission is that it was a good idea and remains a good idea,” Strege said. “It looks like the bad times before the legislation was in place. MPD told us it served as a good deterrent.”
Despite those reports, the council declined to extend the measure without further data and public input.
At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie expressed concerns over renewing the curfew without a formal hearing.
“I get concerned on whether we’re just shifting or displacing some of these incidents to other parts of the city,” McDuffie said.
The debate revealed a divide among council members. Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker supported the curfew, calling it a proactive tool, while Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George warned it could unfairly target youth of color.
“I’m afraid expanding and extending the provision will be used as a pretext to target youth — Black and Brown youth — who are already currently being targeted,” Lewis George said.
Some residents told WUSA9 they were disappointed with the council’s decision.
Even with the curfew, they’re still out here. But it was something,” one Navy Yard neighbor said.
“I would hope they would revisit this and make the right decision so everybody can be safe,” said Lynne Wilson, who works nearby.
Others questioned the curfew’s effectiveness.
“I didn’t see much effectiveness from the curfew to begin with,” said Navy Yard resident Max Leamer.
“I think it’s an all-of-the-above approach — interest at home, from the council, the mayor’s office, and providing infrastructure for people to go somewhere.”
Some community members, like Randall Ellington, emphasized the need for broader solutions.
“When you talk about curbing crime or curbing kids getting into trouble, I think it’s a holistic approach,” Ellington said.
Councilmember Brooke Pinto’s office told WUSA9 she plans to reintroduce the measure at the next legislative meeting.