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DC Mayor Muriel Bowser Enacts Youth Curfew after several arrests during Halloween night teen gathering.
WASHINGTON — District officials are once again enforcing a juvenile curfew following a chaotic scene in Navy Yard Friday night, when large groups of teenagers gathered, fought, and disrupted traffic, according to city leaders.
The curfew went into effect Saturday night and will remain in place through Wednesday. City officials say it mirrors a similar policy implemented over the summer aimed at curbing youth violence.
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Lindsey Appiah said the decision followed several weekends of disorderly behavior involving minors.
“In response to a number of weekends — basically the past four weekends — of some disorderly behavior that we’ve been seeing by juveniles,” Appiah said.
Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office said the measure is a tool that has proven effective in improving public safety.
“What the mayor said is we have a tool that works that’s helping us to advance public safety and to reduce crime,” Appiah added. “We really need to continue that.”
On Friday night, police said five people were arrested during the disturbance — the oldest, 18, for possession of a knife, and the youngest just 14 years old. The scene prompted the deployment of D.C. police officers, the FBI, and National Guard members to the area.
Appiah said that while most young people are not causing trouble, the city cannot tolerate violent or illegal behavior.
“Most of our young people are doing the right things, but those who are not — whether we have places or not — we can’t continue to allow them to engage in disorderly, violent, or illegal activity,” she said.
Under the current order, the curfew runs from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. citywide. However, in certain areas — including Navy Yard, U Street, Banneker Recreation Center, and Union Station — it begins at 6 p.m.
“Every place is not a place for kids,” Appiah said. “U Street after dark? Navy Yard? This is not a place for young people.”
Salim Adofo, a Ward 8 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner who recently testified in favor of extending the curfew, said he supports the mayor’s decision but believes the city should also offer more youth programming.
“I was very concerned for our young people,” Adofo said. “In addition to the curfew, we should also offer more programs that coincide with it.”
City leaders also noted that many of the teens involved in the incidents were from outside D.C., traveling from parts of Maryland such as Suitland, Hyattsville, and Accokeek.
“A lot of kids from Suitland, Hyattsville, and places far into Maryland are coming down here into the District,” Appiah said. “Parents need to know where their children are.”
The D.C. Council is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to extend the juvenile curfew policy beyond this week.
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