The Navy Yard neighborhood in Washington, D.C., is facing growing concern after a second large-scale gathering of teenagers led to chaos, property incursions, and criminal activity. Just weeks after an April 18 incident that drew hundreds of youth to the area, a second major convergence occurred on May 17, raising alarm among residents, local officials, and law enforcement.
At the May 20 meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6/8F, community members and leaders voiced frustration, fear, and a desire for swift policy changes to curb what some are calling an ongoing public safety threat.
“A Planned Attack on Our Community”
Commissioner Edward Daniels described the youth gatherings as a “planned attack on our community orchestrated by youth from across the region.” He and others at the meeting detailed disturbing accounts of teenagers entering private residential buildings, engaging in fights in public spaces, robbing adults outside bars, and yelling at police officers.
Daniels emphasized that the summer season, which typically sees higher youth activity, hasn’t even begun, suggesting that further escalations may be on the horizon without intervention.
Law Enforcement Responds
MPD Captain Adam Crist reported that calls began coming into police around 7 p.m. on May 17, with the first major incident occurring near First and M Streets SE. Another significant confrontation happened around 10 p.m. near the Bullpen, a popular local venue, where phones were stolen during a fight, and teens disrupted a nearby restaurant.
MPD arrested three juveniles: two for robbery and one for making threats and resisting arrest. While the May incident seemed less organized than April’s—possibly due to the lack of a coordinated social media campaign—MPD has since begun reallocating officers from other districts to Navy Yard during the evening as a preventive measure.
Divided Views on Accountability and Solutions
While many ANC commissioners called for harsher enforcement, including earlier curfews and penalties for parents, others argued for a more balanced and community-driven approach.
Daniels, frustrated by repeated incidents, said,
“If more of these teens… spent one week in a jail cell, let us see if the activity changes.”
His stance was supported by Commissioner Liam Goodwin, who invoked the horror film Children of the Corn to describe the perceived lack of adult control. Goodwin and Daniels advocated for the enforcement of D.C.’s curfew law, which currently prohibits minors from being outside unsupervised between midnight and 6 a.m.
Commissioner Markita Bryant, though visibly upset, proposed a more nuanced approach. A parent of a teenager herself, she recommended moving the curfew to 9 or 10 p.m., strengthening building security, and working with the Department of Parks and Recreation to create “neutral spaces” where teens could gather safely.
Importantly, Bryant pointed out that many of the teens were not D.C. residents, urging coordination with officials in Maryland and Virginia to understand what’s drawing these groups into Navy Yard.
Residents Voice Concerns
Several residents shared personal stories of fear and frustration. One woman, exhausted after a long shift at work, said,
“I don’t want to deal with this. I just want to go home and relax in my apartment.”
A visually impaired man said he no longer felt safe navigating public spaces due to large, unruly gatherings of youth. His companion acknowledged the frustration but called for more parenting resources and less punitive rhetoric.
Youth Advocates Push Back
A 23-year-old representative from the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative (FSFSC) offered a sharp critique of how the issue was being framed.
“Now we’re having a meeting about youth, but there’s no youth in here to speak,” they said.
They criticized the commissioners’ harsh language, particularly Daniels’ and Goodwin’s remarks, arguing that such words alienate young people and diminish the community’s ability to lead by example.
“Young people are poor, they are hurt… I would never look to you,” they added.
Legal and Policy Perspectives
Attorney Robert Foster from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) acknowledged the complexity of the issue.
“Deeply multifaceted problems need multifaceted solutions,” he said.
Foster emphasized the District’s rehabilitative approach to youth crime. The OAG processes 85 percent of youth arrests, focusing on felonies and diverting many misdemeanors or first-time offenses. While there are consequences, he stressed that addressing root causes such as trauma, poverty, and lack of support is just as important.
Councilmember Charles Allen Weighs In
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) echoed many concerns but emphasized the need for early intervention—before situations spiral.
Allen suggested using Metro data to track when large numbers of youth enter the area and deploying existing programs such as Safe Passages and BID Men and Women in Blue to help manage the situation through de-escalation and real-time observation.
He noted that Navy Yard isn’t the only location experiencing such incidents. Pentagon City Mall, for example, had recently shut down to prevent a similar youth gathering, suggesting this is a regional issue requiring a coordinated response.
Looking Ahead
As summer approaches, the Navy Yard community finds itself at a crossroads. On one side are those calling for tougher enforcement and curfews; on the other are residents and advocates demanding a more compassionate and structural solution.
Commissioner Bryant summed up the stakes best:
“We have to do something—yes. But we need to do it in a way that solves the problem without breaking our community further.”
With further ANC meetings expected, the challenge will be to balance safety with empathy, and accountability with opportunity, to ensure that both the residents and the youth of the District feel protected, heard, and supported.
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