OXON HILL, Md. — There’s a new bill introduced by a Prince George’s County councilmember for juvenile and minor curfew. This piece of legislation is different from previous curfews that have been in effect for the county previously.
“I feel like we don’t have any other choice at this point,” Prince George’s council member, Edward Burroughs III said.
Councilman, Edward Burroughs III introduced “An Act Concerning Juvenile and Minor Curfew Zones,” on Tuesday. The bill would let commercial property owners request a more restrictive curfew for people younger than 17 years old.
“It’s not a blanket, one size fits all approach so there are particular hot spots in the county that have seen a massive uptick [of] 20,30,40 and even 100 young people on any given Friday night gather in one place,” Burroughs III said. “Each summer we see a huge uptick in crime and so we are doing our best to get ahead of that.”
This would include places like stores, hotels and restaurants, and could start any time after 5 p.m. Then curfew requests from those businesses also require a letter of support from a councilmember and the police chief’s approval.
“There’s been an uptick in the amount of young people gathering together 1 a.m., 2 a.m. unsupervised, engaging in disruptive behavior,” Burroughs III said.
Giselle Andrade said she agrees with this bill being introduced. On an average day at the National Harbor, Andrade said things around the area are typically nice on weekends but at some point, they take a turn.
“People act stupid,” Andrade said.
The 18-year-old said she’s noticed the juvenile crime in her neighborhood in Prince George’s County.
“When I get off at night at 8 o’clock I’ve had cars stop and talk to me or even follow me,” Andrade said.
Andrade said she thinks this new curfew bill introduced in the county will help reduce crime.
“I mean when you’re 17 I don’t think there should be a reason why you’re down here at midnight,” Andrade said.
“I know they have to do something they’re trying to figure out a way to deter the crime but honestly I just don’t think it’s going to help,” Prince George’s County resident, Reshan Blackwell said.
There are mixed opinions about whether this bill will help.
“If you have a 14, 15-year-old out with someone over 21, who’s also committing a crime then how do you deter that,” Blackwell said. “It still leaves for them to be able to commit crime.”
“I think it’s a good thing however they already had a curfew before so it’s like what is it really doing?” a woman in Prince George’s County, Capria Millard said.
Many people WUSA9 spoke to said they could agree on one thing when it comes to trying to work against juvenile crime.
“It starts at home with the parents,” a woman who frequents Prince George’s County, Brionna Kanox said. “I feel like the parents need to be more vocal and involved in the kid’s life and I think things will change.”
Burroughs said this bill is just one step in the journey to curb crime ahead of the typical up tick they see in the summer. He said curfews don’t solve the entire problem and there needs to be more investment in youth programming for after school, weekends, and throughout the summer.
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