Youth curfew for Memorial Day weekend at DC’s Wharf

WASHINGTON — After hearing from D.C. residents all week about the need to curb youth violence in the city, Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Pamela Smith are taking action, starting in the Wharf neighborhood. 

Starting Friday night through Tuesday morning, the Wharf — which is private property — will institute a juvenile curfew from 5 p.m. through 5 a.m. Anyone under the age of 18 at the Wharf must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or authorized adult over 21 once the curfew is in effect. 

Any underage person at the Wharf after the curfew begins will be asked to leave on their own; if they refuse, they could be arrested for unauthorized entry. 

“With any curfew violation, the intent is not to arrest,” Smith said, noting that any youth violators would need to be picked up by a parent before they can be released from police custody. 

The curfew comes after several recent nights of chaos involving large groups of teenagers swarming the Navy Yard neighborhood. The latest incident occurred Saturday evening, when MPD responded to what it described as “large groups of juveniles” creating disorder, causing disturbances, and committing at least two robberies in the area. Officers arrested three minors and said investigations are ongoing. A community meeting Tuesday night in Southeast got tense as neighbors expressed fear, frustration and a growing sense of urgency, with many pushing for a curfew in the area.

“It’s frightening, it’s appalling,” said Carolette Sweatt, a Navy Yard resident. “A curfew is a mandate, but it could work … There’s a way D.C. can implement and enforce parenting.”

Smith said that while the Wharf curfew is just in place for Memorial Day Weekend, her department will consider weekend curfews all summer if necessary. Bowser also reiterated that her office will be proposing legislation to update the city’s curfew policies, though she declined to give details on what those changes may entail. Currently, D.C. youth curfews start at midnight on weekends and 11 p.m. on school nights. When pressed for specifics, Bowser said that a 7 or 8 p.m. start time for curfews could be “in the ballpark” of what she will propose. 

“What we are seeing today is different than decades ago,” Smith said when asked whether she would consider bringing back former daytime programming considered successful with teens. “Social media meetups, group chats and viral challenge are shaping real world behavior, and oftentimes without parents realizing it. We need our parents, our adults, our communities to pay attention.”

The city will also host a special holiday edition of its regular “Late Night Hype” events, similar to programming hosted over winter break. “Holiday Hype” will run from 7 p.m. through 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at the Banneker Recreation Center. Music, games, food and a “range of activities for teens” will be included. 

“If your kid is looking for something to do this weekend that will be a place where we are providing some programming,” Bowser said, noting that past events like this have averaged 1,700 people in attendance. 

Chief Smith also said that police presence across the District will be increased all weekend. 

“Anyone who chooses to be disruptive will also be met with consequences,” the chief said. “Unlawful behavior will result in an arrest regardless of age.”

WATCH: Full press conference on DC youth safety