New curfew targets teen groups swarming U Street
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday — Young crowds on the popular U Street Corridor will face tighter restrictions starting Thursday night, as D.C.’s top cop enforces a new Juvenile Curfew Zone following a spike in youth gatherings officials say could endanger public safety.
The targeted curfew will prohibit groups of nine or more individuals aged 17 and under from assembling in public spaces within a set perimeter in Northwest D.C., unless participating in exempted activities. The emergency order, issued by Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith under the Juvenile Curfew Emergency Amendment Act of 2025, will be enforced nightly from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. through Sunday.
Bounded by V Street, Vermont Avenue, Florida Avenue, Georgia Avenue, T Street, and 15th Street NW, the zone wraps around one of the city’s busiest nightlife and entertainment districts. Police say the goal is to prevent escalating youth-related disturbances during peak evening hours.
This new curfew zone operates in addition to the citywide juvenile curfew already in effect from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., which will continue through the end of August. That measure applies to all individuals 17 and under throughout the District.
City officials have not specified what incidents led to the decision to implement the temporary zone, but the authority granted under the emergency act allows the police chief to respond swiftly to perceived threats tied to group gatherings of minors.
The list of permitted activities that allow minors to be outside during the restricted hours includes returning home from work or school-related events, traveling with a parent or guardian, or engaging in First Amendment-protected activities. Those found violating the curfew can be detained and referred to city services or guardians.
The curfew enforcement will begin Thursday evening and last through Sunday night, with the potential for more zones to be announced if conditions warrant.
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Key Points
- A new juvenile curfew zone in the U Street Corridor will restrict gatherings of nine or more minors nightly from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. through Sunday
- The measure comes in response to youth congregations that pose potential public safety risks
- The zone overlays the ongoing citywide 11 p.m. juvenile curfew already in place until August 31