DC Police Establish 5 Juvenile Curfew Zones for Holiday Weekend

New curfew zones cover Navy Yard, Chinatown, U Street, the Wharf, and Banneker neighborhoods.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:52pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or handcuffs against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash to create a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The new juvenile curfew zones aim to address public safety concerns in high-traffic areas of Washington, D.C. over the holiday weekend.Washington Today

The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. has announced the establishment of five new juvenile curfew zones ahead of the upcoming holiday weekend. The curfew zones, which will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on April 3-5, 2026, cover the Navy Yard, Chinatown, U Street, the Wharf, and Banneker neighborhoods.

Why it matters

The new curfew zones are intended to address public safety concerns in areas where large groups of youths have been gathering in a manner that poses a risk of substantial harm. The curfew law gives the police chief the authority to establish these temporary zones when needed.

The details

Within the designated curfew zones, people under the age of 18 are prohibited from gathering in groups of nine or more in any public place or on the premises of any establishment, unless they are engaged in certain exempted activities. The specific perimeters of each curfew zone have been clearly defined by the police department.

  • The new juvenile curfew zones will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, April 3, Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • The Juvenile Curfew Second Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 gave the police chief the authority to establish these temporary curfew zones.

The players

Metropolitan Police Department

The law enforcement agency for the District of Columbia that has established the new juvenile curfew zones.

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The takeaway

The implementation of these targeted curfew zones reflects the city's ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and address concerns about large gatherings of youths that could potentially lead to harm. The success of these measures will be closely monitored by the community and local officials.