Winston-Salem City Council Rejects Permanent Teen Curfew
The Winston-Salem City Council voted six to two on Monday, October 5, to reject a permanent extension for a downtown juvenile curfew, leaving the temporary measure set to expire on October 12, Univision reported. The ordinance currently bars anyone under 18 from remaining in public spaces between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
City officials originally enacted the restrictions following large gatherings known as “teen takeover” events in June that generated violent incidents in the downtown core. Police department leaders urged the council to maintain the rules, pointing to a drop in juvenile crime since the policy took effect. According to local law enforcement figures cited in the reporting, officers made seven arrests and issued 19 warnings to young people for violating the curfew.
Police Disappointment Meets Activist Pushback
The police chief expressed disappointment with the council’s rejection of the permanent extension. At the same time, community activist Olivia Doyle criticized the original ordinance for lacking foundational data before its implementation. The reason why is because the police department doesn’t have enough data to show what the actual impacts of the curfew are,
Doyle told local media outlets, adding that officials pushed for the rule just to observe its effects.
Winston-Salem is not alone in testing youth curfews across North Carolina. Neighboring Charlotte plans to launch a 10-month pilot program for an adolescent curfew starting on November 1.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Curfew Vote
When does the Winston-Salem teen curfew officially expire?
The temporary curfew measure concludes on October 12, following the city council’s six-to-two vote against its permanent extension on Monday, October 5.
What specific hours did the Winston-Salem ordinance restrict?
The active curfew rules barred anyone under 18 years old from lingering in public spaces between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
What sparked the creation of the curfew rules in Winston-Salem?
City leaders introduced the restrictions after large crowds gathered for “teen takeover” events in June, resulting in violent incidents in the downtown area.
Which other North Carolina city is adopting similar youth restrictions?
Charlotte is scheduled to implement a teen curfew on November 1 as part of a 10-month pilot program.