Mayor Bowser Announces Emergency Legislation to Amend Districts Juvenile Curfew Laws

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the Juvenile Curfew Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 to strengthen juvenile curfew enforcement in Washington, D. C. This legislation proposes changing curfew hours to 11 PM during July and August and grants the Chief of Police the power to establish extended curfew zones that can begin at 7 PM. Bowser stated the initiative aims to tackle troubling trends of juvenile gatherings that often lead to violence. Councilmember Brooke Pinto echoed the need for safe recreational spaces while providing law enforcement the authority to respond to public safety issues.

Recent incidents of large groups of juveniles engaging in unlawful behavior have led to increased police presence in neighborhoods. The Council of the District of Columbia will review the proposal during its July 1 Legislative Meeting. The MPD has employed various strategies to manage juvenile activities, but existing tools have proven insufficient. This emergency legislation reflects a commitment to enhancing community safety while supporting youth engagement in positive activities.