Montgomery County Police Push for Teen Curfew to Prevent Crime

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) is proposing legislation that would impose a county-wide teen curfew similar to curfews in neighboring Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C.

The curfew, which would be imposed Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from midnight to 5:00 a.m. for youth 17 years old and younger, is designed to prevent an escalation in violence by and toward young people in the county.

“This was a proposal that was drafted by the police department and given to the county executive to put the request to the county council. Crime rates are down in Montgomery County and one of the ways we try to keep them down is by identifying trends, areas of concern, and addressing those areas, said Lucille Baur a spokeswoman for Montgomery County police. 

One area that is of concern is the consistency of youth violence. Police said teen youth are crossing over to Montgomery County from both Washington, D.C. and Prince George’s County, where similar curfews are already in place. Enacting a curfew in Montgomery would level the playing field.

“Right now we have experienced juveniles from other jurisdictions which have curfews coming in to the county. Therefore we are proposing a county wide curfew so there would not be areas that would be available for juveniles under 18 to gather,” said Assistant Chief of Police, Wayne Jerman.

According to the legislation, Expedited Bill 25-11, minors would be prohibited from being in any public place or establishment in the county during curfew hours, with a few exceptions. Exceptions would include minors who are accompanied by parents, participating in school or religious functions or who were acting under the direction of the parent. Parents for minors who violated the curfew and establishment operators would be held responsible for minors who violate the curfew.

County and police officials said imposing the curfew would also be one way to help address the issue of gang activity.

“Gang on gang is one example of youth violence,” Jerman said. “[The curfew] is an additional tool the patrol officer has in their toolbox that they can utilize if the situation warrants it.”

The legislation was introduced in the county council Tuesday and a public hearing for the legislation is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26. 

Public Safety Committee Chairman Phil Andrews (D) said he was surprised by the legislation and is not at all sold on it.

“I have a lot of questions about it, and as the Public Safety Committee Chair, I will be asking for rationale for the proposal. Experience in other jurisdictions with curfews, the details of how they think it would work and whether the county executive has considered other less intrusive or more targeted measures to address juvenile crime issues are some of questions I will bring up,” said County Councilman Phil Andrews.

A Public Safety Committee worksession is scheduled for September and a vote on the measure may take place shortly after.