Youth Curfew Won't Be Enforced In Bowie, Other Communities

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — This weekend, the youth curfew unveiled by county leaders will take effect. But some of the county's largest communities cannot enforce it.

A youth curfew was enacted in Prince George's County after a baby was shot, four people were killed and several others injured Labor Day weekend. The curfew takes effect this weekend and will last for 30 days, according to Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. According to officials, youth ages 17 and younger must be home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Different hours will be set for Friday and Saturday. Parents will receive warnings and could be fined if their youth are found out and about during the curfew.

“In Bowie we have the city charter that does not allow us to enforce Prince George’s County ordinances,” Bowie Police Chief John Nesky told WTOP.

Police in Greenbelt also will not be enforcing the curfew. Hyattsville Police Chief Jarod Towers harbors concerns about the curfew, too.

“We can’t just stop people and verify their age and say ‘How old are you; what are you doing on the street?’ We’re not going to be increasing our enforcement efforts to focus on targeting people out after certain hours just to verify their age,” he said.

Read more at WTOP

See also Youth Curfew Enacted After Baby Shot, Several Killed Labor Day Weekend