WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to address youth-related disturbances and improve public safety, the Metropolitan Police Department has announced the creation of a new Juvenile Curfew Zone in Southwest Washington, D.C., effective immediately.
Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith revealed that the zone is part of the city’s efforts under the Juvenile Curfew Emergency Amendment Act of 2025. The targeted curfew is in effect from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday through Monday, and is designed to prevent large groups of minors from gathering in specific high-activity areas during evening hours.
Curfew Zone Boundaries
The newly designated zone covers a portion of Southwest D.C., bordered by:
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North: I-395
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East: South Capitol Street
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South: Anacostia River and P Street
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West: 2nd Street and the Washington Channel
Within these boundaries, groups of nine or more juveniles (ages 17 and under) are prohibited from congregating in public spaces or on the premises of businesses unless they are participating in exempted activities such as school, work, or supervised recreation.
Citywide Curfew Also Remains in Place
In addition to the newly defined Southwest curfew zone, the citywide juvenile curfew remains active nightly from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., continuing through August 31. This broader curfew applies across all of Washington, D.C., and is aimed at reducing juvenile crime and improving nighttime safety for both youth and the public.
Purpose and Enforcement
According to Chief Smith, the curfew zone is part of a data-driven public safety initiative responding to increased youth gatherings and disturbances in specific parts of the city.
“This is a proactive step to ensure the safety of our youth and our neighborhoods,” said Smith in a statement. “The goal is not to penalize but to protect — especially during summer evenings when we see a surge in unsupervised youth activity.”
The curfew will be enforced by patrol officers in the area, who will engage with juveniles found in violation. In many cases, enforcement will focus on transporting minors to safe locations or notifying their guardians, rather than issuing punitive consequences.
The D.C. government has also coordinated with youth outreach organizations and local businesses to inform families about the curfew rules and available after-hours programming for teens.
Exceptions and Support Services
Some activities and circumstances are exempt from curfew enforcement. Minors will not be in violation if they are:
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Accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
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Traveling to or from work or school activities
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Attending religious, recreational, or civic events
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Experiencing an emergency or seeking medical help
City officials are encouraging families to take advantage of summer youth programs and community centers that offer supervised evening options for teens. The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) and other agencies have extended hours for certain locations during weekends to support the effort.
Community Response
While some residents have praised the measure as a necessary step to reduce youth-related crime, others have raised concerns about the potential for racial profiling and unequal enforcement.
In response, MPD has promised that all curfew enforcement will follow strict accountability guidelines, with an emphasis on non-punitive interventions and community engagement.
For more information on the curfew zone, exemptions, and available youth programs, residents are encouraged to visit the DC.gov website or contact the Metropolitan Police Department’s youth division.
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