D.C. Council passes legislation to combat teen takeovers
The D.C. Council approved a modified juvenile curfew bill aimed at addressing social media-driven “teen takeovers.” The measure expands enforcement tools, while supporters cite safety concerns and critics warn of overpolicing and deeper, unmet youth needs. The post D.C. Council passes legislation to combat teen takeovers appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
Black News 
By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
The D.C. Council gave final approval May 5 to modified juvenile curfew legislation designed partly to address social media-driven “teen takeovers” that are disrupting nightlife districts and public spaces in Washington, D.C., and other cities.
The council approved the Juvenile Curfew Amendment Act of 2025 in an 8-5 vote.
D.C. Councilmembers Trayon White Sr. (D-Ward 08), Robert C. White Jr. (D-At-Large), Zachary Parker (D-Ward 05), Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 04) and Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 01) voted against the bill.
D.C.’s permanent youth curfew has existed since 1995, though officials in recent years debated and passed temporary measures to strengthen it.
The Juvenile Curfew Amendment Act of 2025 allows police to establish temporary expanded curfew zones with earlier curfew hours for groups of minors. The bill also places limits on enforcement, including warning and dispersal requirements. Official curfew hours remain as 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday to Thursday and 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights for anyone under 17.
Lawmakers in favor of the bill said the curfew changes are intended to improve public safety.
“We as the council and all adults across the city have to have the best interests of our young people in mind as we create all of our policies,” said Councilwoman Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 02). “We must ensure that our kids are engaged in positive activities to support their development, and also work to prevent dangerous situations to protect our kids and our communities.”
Pinto, who voted in favor of the legislation, pointed out that the curfew zones are just one tool to help achieve this.
Metropolitan Police Department Interim Chief Jeffery W. Carroll testified during a Feb. 25 oversight hearing, saying several District communities experienced large youth gatherings throughout 2025 tied to “teen takeovers,” involving up to 100 or more participants. He said gatherings included fights, property damage and dangerous activity in the streets, with at least one youth struck by a vehicle and one driver hospitalized.
Critics argued the measures could lead to overpolicing and fail to address deeper issues facing youth.
“Curfews are not a solution, they are a reaction,” said Councilmember White during the May 5 council session. “This council has an obligation to do better than react.”
White said research on curfew laws is consistent.
“Curfew laws do not reduce crime,” he said. “They criminalize adolescents disproportionately impact Black and Brown youth in our communities that always carry the heaviest burdens of overpolicing. We cannot claim to care about our young people, while continuing to treat their presence on the street like a threat.”
White said real public safety would involve addressing the root causes of these gatherings through wraparound services and community-driven programs for youth.
Concerns about the legislation were echoed by youth during an April 30 public roundtable held by the Committee on Youth Affairs.
“I do not believe the teen curfew zones are necessary and I don’t believe that they address the real issue,” said Onesti Hill, a youth advocate and member of the T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project, a D.C.-based youth organization working to reduce the spread of youth gun violence. “A lot of young people are outside after school because they’re trying to get away from something, not because they’re trying to cause harm.”
“Not every home is safe,” Hill added. “Not every environment is stable. For some kids, being outside feels better than being inside. A curfew does not fix that, it ignores it.”
Hill acknowledged that some teens do gather to cause disturbances, but argued it is unfair to “punish” all young people for the actions of a few.
Youth recommended solutions beyond the curfew, including extended recreation center hours, greater collaboration with youth and safer community spaces and programs for young people.
The Juvenile Curfew Amendment Act of 2025 is currently under mayoral review, with a response due by May 25. The bill must then undergo a congressional review period before it can officially become law.
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