Case Explained:This article breaks down the legal background, charges, and implications of Case Explained: Juvenile curfew zone law extension does not have votes to pass – Legal Perspective
WASHINGTON (7News) — The law allowing the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) chief to declare areas in the city juvenile curfew zones is set to expire in less than a month, and Councilmember Brooke Pinto told 7News there are not enough votes to approve an extension.
As it stands now, the MPD chief can designate parts of the city as having an earlier curfew – 8 p.m., instead of the normal 11 p.m. curfew – for everyone younger than 18-years-old, also banning them from gathering in groups of nine or more.
MPD announced Navy Yard, Chinatown, and U Street will be juvenile curfew zones this weekend, from March 20-22.
However, the ability for MPD to exercise this power will expire soon, because it is part of emergency legislation.
The Juvenile Curfew Second Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 expires April 15.
Pinto said it does not seem likely there will be an extension of this law.
“It will expire in April, and right now, it doesn’t have the votes it needs on the council to extend it. I’m really worried about that, and think it is a tool that has helped curtail some of these actions, and is really important for my colleagues and I to get on the same page about what happens next,” Pinto said.
On Saturday, MPD officials said around 200 juveniles gathered in Navy Yard, which resulted in assaults, robberies, and a 15-year-old boy allegedly firing several gunshots into the air.
Residents in the community told 7News they are unnerved by the weekend violence.
“Not only am I walking around here. I’ve got my dog here with me,” said Navy Yard resident Austin Thorne. “I live with my fiance. I always think about if she’s walking the dog late at night, I want it to be a safe environment, obviously.”
7News On Your Side asked Pinto if she thinks this latest “teen takeover” could move some of her colleagues to approve an extension of the emergency law.
“I am considering a permanent bill, but right now it does not have the votes, so it’s a question you have to ask my colleagues,” Pinto said.
We reached out to each councilmember, asking the following questions:
- In light of this weekend’s takeover in Navy Yard, are you considering approving extending the bill or approving a permanent measure?
- Why or why not?
- What other measures would you consider to address teen takeovers, as we approach the warmer weather months?
- What’s your message to residents worried about more teen takeovers?
Only Chairman Phil Mendelson’s office responded.
A spokesperson for Mendelson, who introduced a bill to permanently grant MPD juvenile curfew zone powers at the request of Mayor Muriel Bowser, told 7News any extension of the current law still needs to make it out of committee.
No other member of the council has responded to these questions as of publication.
“They should approve that because, as you know and I know, spring and summer is coming. School will be out soon. When school ends, then they have less to do, less structure,” one Navy Yard resident told 7News. “As far as I’m concerned, that should have been a no-brainer. They shouldn’t be at this stalemate trying to figure this out. They see how the kids are acting.”
7News On Your Side has covered “teen takeovers” in Navy Yard for the past year.
Residents sounded off during a community meeting in May 2025, which took place shortly after takeovers involved juveniles dancing on top of tables inside one restaurant, fighting near the Navy Yard Metro stop, and even what appeared to be breaking into a car.
As recently as Halloween 2025, local and federal law enforcement had to respond to a large, disorderly crowd, resulting in several teens being arrested.
“We’ve definitely had these issues for a while. I know as soon as the last curfew went into place, I did see a dramatic decrease in any of those events happening,” Thorne said. “I think after last week’s event, it sounds like, obviously, if those measures aren’t in place, that will continue to happen and they will come back. I don’t see why not continue the curfew if it is effective.”