This week's safety tip
From: MPDC2368 <
mpdc2368@comcast.net>
Metropolitan Police Department DC's Curfew Law-Know the Facts
The District of Columbia now has a curfew for all persons under the
age of 17. It is important for you and your family to know what the
law says, how it is being enforced, and what alternative programs
there are for young people.
a.. What does the law say?
b.. What are the curfew hours?
c.. Does the curfew law apply to non-District residents?
d.. How will the law be enforced?
e.. What are the penalties for violating the law?
f.. What activities are exempted from the law?
g.. Why is the curfew law being enforced now?
h.. What alternative programs are there for young people?
i.. Additional Resources
For more information about Alternative Programs.
What does the law say?
The Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995 (DC Code 2-1541 et. seq.) states that
persons under the age of 17 cannot remain in or on a street, park or
other outdoor public place, in a vehicle or on the premises of any
establishment within the District of Columbia during curfew hours,
unless they are involved in certain exempted activities.
What are the curfew hours?
For the months of September through June:
a.. Curfew begins at 11 pm on Sunday through Thursday nights, and
continues until 6 am the following day
b.. Curfew hours are 12:01 am to 6 am on Saturday and Sunday (curfew
on "Friday night" begins at 12:01 am Saturday; curfew on "Saturday
night" begins at 12:01 am Sunday)
During July and August only:
a.. Curfew hours are 12:01 am to 6 am, seven days a week
Does the curfew law apply to non-District residents?
Yes. The curfew law applies to all persons under the age of 17 who are
in the District of Columbia during curfew hours. This includes both
District residents as well as young people who reside elsewhere.
How will the law be enforced?
Anyone under the age of 17 who violates curfew will be detained by the
Metropolitan Police Department. In most cases, the juvenile will be
taken to one of two Curfew Centers operated by the DC government:
a.. Douglass Community Center
2100 Stanton Terrace, SE
b.. Franklin Reeves Center
2nd Floor Community Room
14th and U Streets, NW
A parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult will be contacted
to pick the child up immediately. If not picked up by 6:00 am, the
juvenile will be handed over to the DC Child and Family Services
Agency. Juveniles age 12 and younger who are picked up on curfew
violations will immediately be turned over to the CFSA.
What are the penalties for violating the law?
A parent or legal guardian of a juvenile under the age of 17 commits
an offense if he or she knowingly permits, or by insufficient control
allows, the minor to violate the curfew law. Any adult who violates
the Juvenile Curfew Act is subject to a fine not to exceed $500 or
community service. A minor who violates curfew may be ordered to
perform up to 25 hours of community service.
Persons under the age of 17 are exempt from curfew if they:
a.. Accompany a parent or guardian or any person age 21 or older
b.. Complete an errand at the direction of a parent or guardian,
without detour or stop
c.. Ride in a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel
d.. Work or return home from a job, without detour or stop
e.. Become involved in an emergency
f.. Stand on a sidewalk that joins their residence or the residence of
a next-door neighbor, if the neighbor did not complain to police
g.. Attend an official school, religious, or other recreational
activity sponsored by the District of Columbia, a civic organization,
or other similar group that takes responsibility for the juvenile
(this includes traveling to and from the activity)
h.. Exercise their First Amendment rights protected by the US
Constitution, including the free exercise of speech, religion, and
right of assembly
Why is the curfew law being enforced now?
Passed in 1995, DC's curfew law was set up to protect the health and
safety of young people and our communities. After the law was
challenged in court, MPD stopped enforcement until the court decided
whether the law was constitutional. In June 1999, the US Circuit Court
of Appeals for the District of Columbia found the law to be
constitutional. The District began enforcing the law again in the fall
of 1999.
What alternative programs are there for young people?
The District of Columbia has a variety of programs and centers that
serve young people seeking alternatives to being on the streets,
including social, educational, recreational, and counseling services.
For more programs, call the District's Answers Please! helpline at
(202) INFO-211 (463-6211) or online at answersplease.
dc.gov.
Additional Resources
For more information on programs and safety tips for young people,
contact:
a.. Alternative Programs for Young People
b.. National Crime Prevention Council Online Resource Center
OFFICER K. A. SODIMU.
M. P. D. C.
4TH DISTRICT.
P. S. A.-- 401.