DC leaders are taking steps to address “concerning trends” in juvenile crime ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said. Alongside Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith, Bowser outlined the District’s updated public safety posture during a Friday afternoon press conference.
According to Smith, “troubling patterns” are emerging as large groups of youth are “gathering and engaging in disruptive, and sometimes violent, behavior.”
Over the weekend, MPD plans to implement a “strong, visible presence” of officers across the city. “Anyone who chooses to be disruptive will be met with consequences,” Smith added.
The Wharf is also instituting a juvenile curfew from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily beginning Friday, May 23, through Tuesday, May 27, at 5 a.m. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or supervising adult over the age of 21 during those times.
“We will consider this all summer if it is necessary,” Smith said. The current curfew for people under 18 years of age is midnight on weekends and 11 p.m. on school nights.
Additional updates to youth curfew across the city will likely come in the form of emergency legislation during the council’s next session, according to Bowser.
On May 17, Youth converged on Navy Yard for the second time in three weeks. Both “take overs” necessitated a huge reallocation of police resources as youth entered private space, fought in public space and spooked businesses and residents. Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANC) in the area called for earlier curfews.
“We have seen some concerning trends with how our young people are socializing,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said, “and those changes in behavior also require us to change our posture.”
“More than likely it will involve making the curfew times earlier,” Bowser said of those changes. She demurred on specifics as those were still in the works, but agreed that it was “safe to say” it could be “in the ballpark” of 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.
“What we are seeing today is different from decades ago,” she added. “social media meet ups, group chats and viral challenges are shaping real world behavior, oftentimes with out parents realizing it.”
Bowser emphasized the importance of collaboration across the District’s agencies to ensure the safety of all Washingtonians. “We will work together with out entire community to change the negative behaviors that we’re seeing from some of our young people,” she said.
In addition to their summer programming and camps, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) also plans to host activations for youth across the city. Over the weekend, a three day pop up event featuring a live DJ, jumbo games and more will take place at the Banneker Recreation Center (2500 Georgia Ave NW) daily on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 11 p.m.
Smith reiterated the importance of parents having knowledge of their children’s activities. She emphasized the importance of giving youth good structure so “they can grow into the best version of themselves.”
And Smith tried to stay positive. “it is my hope that with giving young people a space to go, such as Banneaker Recreation center, it will defray some of this conduct and behavior that were seeing.”
“Our young people understand that we are here for them and let them have fun safely,” DPR Director Thennie Freeman said.
Visit dpr.dc.gov to learn more about Holiday Hype and other events and programs.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at [email protected].
With additional reporting from Elizabeth O’Gorek.
