Prince George’s County Council passes ‘juvenile curfew zones’ resolution

Ya-Marie Sesay
·2 min read

LARGO, Md. (DC News Now) — The Prince George’s County Council passed a resolution on Wednesday that gives business owners a say on where juvenile curfews zones should be implemented.

This newly passed resolution is separate from the county-wide juvenile curfew bill that the council is still looking to pass, and the National Harbor juvenile curfew.

This resolution will allow commercial property owners in the county to request curfew zones for children under 17. Eligible business owners must present a strong case as to why the curfew zone is needed, obtain a letter of support from the county council member in that area then apply with the Prince George’s County Police Department.

Juvenile curfew at National Harbor could become law

The proposed curfew time periods must be between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. and can’t apply to any juvenile with an adult.

This comes nearly a week after County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced a juvenile curfew at the National Harbor for those 16 and under after police noticed recent increase in crime and violent involving juveniles.

Prior to that, a shooting happened at a senior skip day event at Schrom Hills Park in Greenbelt that sent five teens to the hospital. A 14-year-old and 16-year-old were charged and arrested for this.

Council leaders say this newly passed resolution is just a step towards their long-term juvenile curfew bill that still awaits a vote by the council.

“So I think that the public should be, reassured that this is going to be something that helps protect them, that helps protect young people, and doesn’t create records for your average kid who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and really should just be sent home,” said Council Chair Jolene Ivey.

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