Violent start to DC’s youth curfew pilot program with 4 fatalities on first night
by Christian Flores
Sunday, Sep 3rd 2023
MPD officer patrols where there was an overnight shooting on the 100 block of Farragut St. NW. (7News)
WASHINGTON (7News) — The first night of the youth curfew pilot program in Washington, D.C. turned violent, with four fatalities. The program, aimed at ensuring the safety of young people, was implemented to address the rising violence and lack of safety faced by children during late-night and early-morning hours.
According to Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah, no children were taken to the facility designated for curfew violators on the first night. However, a city official stated that a majority of the children who were instructed to go home by MPD officers followed their orders, suggesting that the success of the program cannot solely be determined by the number of apprehensions.
Appiah had previously outlined her goals for the curfew, stating, “We want young people to be safe, and we know oftentimes when they’re out at 2 and 3, at these times at night and in the morning, there’s a lack of safety for them and others. How do we make sure youth and families who are maybe in need of assistance are getting it?”
The youth curfew program applies to children aged 16 and below, restricting their movement between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 12:01 a.m. and 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Children found violating the curfew are brought to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services by MPD officers. Unfortunately, the first night of the program resulted in the tragic deaths of four individuals, including a 15-year-old boy and two 18- and 19-year-old women.
Despite the violent start, neighbors living near the area where the shootings occurred expressed support for the curfew, viewing it as a positive step towards addressing the recent surge in violence across the city. However, they also acknowledge that more needs to be done to address the systemic nature of the problem.
In light of the violent incidents, city officials were questioned about the effectiveness of the curfew program and its impact on preventing crimes involving teenagers aged over 16. A city official responded by stating that although officers were stationed nearby, it is difficult to prevent all violent crimes, as they are typically not random occurrences. Additionally, the city official cited Mayor Muriel Bowser’s intention to increase MPD staffing to 4,000 officers from the current 3,300, emphasizing the need for more resources to enforce both the youth curfew and prevent crimes involving older teenagers.
Regarding the curfew enforcement, the official confirmed that officers still patrol the streets before the curfew hours. They also clarified that the pilot program allows officers to remain on the streets by handing curfew violators over to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services instead of waiting at the police precinct with the child until a parent or guardian arrives. This approach aims to provide support to young individuals in need and free up officers for patrolling duties.
While MPD was approached for further information, they directed inquiries to Deputy Mayor Lindsey Appiah, who has been actively involved in the curfew program.
The violent start to the youth curfew pilot program underscores the urgency of addressing the ongoing violence and ensuring the safety of the city’s youth. As the program continues, city officials will need to reassess its effectiveness and allocate sufficient resources to tackle the underlying issues contributing to the rise in crime.