Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser sent a letter to the D.C. Council expressing criticism towards mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George and other council members for not supporting a plan to extend the city's teen curfew this summer. Lewis George is a candidate in the Democratic primary scheduled for June 16. Bowser's letter highlights ongoing discussions within the D.C. Council regarding the curfew.
In her letter, Bowser stated, "I am greatly disappointed that five members of Council are essentially obstructing the council from moving forward on this important public safety legislation." The council had voted 8-5 in April to extend the youth curfew permanently, but another measure for immediate enforcement was tabled, delaying the curfew's implementation until mid-July, pending congressional review.
The curfew prohibits individuals under 18 from being in public places after 11 p.m. without adult supervision, with specific exceptions. It also allows the Metropolitan Police Department to create "Extended Juvenile Curfew Zones" where gatherings of nine or more minors are restricted after 8 p.m.
A temporary emergency order extending the juvenile curfew zone authority is set to expire on June 6, which Bowser's office describes as a crucial crime-prevention strategy for the summer. Earlier this year, Bowser implemented a limited juvenile curfew following a violent incident at a Navy Yard Chipotle. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that young individuals involved in organized disruptions, referred to as "teen takeovers," could face fines and jail time.
Lewis George, who identifies as a democratic socialist, has expressed concerns about the curfew's enforcement, particularly regarding the involvement of federal agents. Amanda Michelle Gomez, her campaign's communications director, stated that while Lewis George previously supported the juvenile curfew, she now opposes its enforcement due to potential federal involvement. Kenyan McDuffie, another candidate in the mayoral race, has called for the reinstatement of the juvenile curfew authority.