Major U.S. Cities Tighten Youth Curfew Laws

Cities including Washington, D.C., Charleston, S.C., and Chicago are moving to tighten youth curfew laws in response to concerns over teen violence and large gatherings during summer. In D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed an emergency law extending the curfew to all minors under 18, starting at 11 p.m. nightly in July and August, and granting police power to establish earlier curfews in high-risk zones. Charleston has enacted a curfew for those 17 and under from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the downtown district, citing increased late-night incidents. Chicago's City Council narrowly approved a controversial ordinance for police to issue 'snap curfews' for minors with 30 minutes' notice, but Mayor Brandon Johnson has vowed to veto it, citing concerns about over-policing and civil rights. Proponents argue the curfews are necessary to curb violence, but critics, including community advocates and organizations like the ACLU, warn they may criminalize youth and fail to address root causes. The debate continues as officials aim to implement changes before the summer peak.