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10 PM Curfew to Start Monday, July 31
Contact (Media Only): Vince Morris (202) 727-5011; Sharon Gang (202) 727-5011
(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams announced today that on Monday, July 31, an alternative curfew for young people 16 and younger will go into effect.
On July 21, the Council passed the Enhanced Crime Prevention and Abatement Emergency Amendment Act of 2006 giving the Mayor the authority to set alternative curfew hours. In amending the Mayors legislation, the Council set notification requirements that required that at least five days notice be given to Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and that public notification be made at least five days before the curfew goes into effect. Additionally, the Mayor is required to post the information on the website for the city and for the Metropolitan Police Department.
Too often, young people are becoming involved in violent crimes, said Mayor Williams. This earlier curfew hour is necessary in order to protect them from becoming victims of crime or from becoming involved in crimes at night. Dozens of cities across the United States have similar curfews, ranging from Philadelphia and Denver to Santa Barbara and Cleveland. Curfews will keep our children safer, and encourage parents to take a stronger interest in the activities of their children and to take responsibility for their whereabouts.
Beginning Monday, July 31, alternative curfew hours for young people 16 and younger will be set from 10 pm to 6 am every night of the week. These curfew hours will last for 30 consecutive days and expire on Wednesday, August 30 at 11:59 pm. After this date, curfew hours will revert to the hours currently in place pursuant to the Juvenile Curfew Act (midnight to 6 am) unless a subsequent Mayors Order is issued to extend the 30-day period.
Mayor Williams emergency anti-crime legislation centers on authorizing MPD Chief Charles Ramsey to deploy officers on a six-day work week.
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