Virginia Beach Leaders Consider 9 PM Curfew at Oceanfront

Proposed curfew would apply to all ages for next two weekends amid Spring Break concerns.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:08pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken glass bottle, the shards reflecting the harsh light of the camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty investigative nature of the Oceanfront crime issues.A stark reminder of the public safety challenges facing Virginia Beach's Oceanfront as the city considers new measures to curb rising crime.Virginia Beach Today

Virginia Beach city leaders are discussing implementing a 9 PM curfew from Rudees Loop to 31st Street at the Oceanfront for the next two weekends. The curfew would apply to all ages, with exceptions made for those staying at local hotels. This proposal comes after a recent shooting at the Oceanfront that left 8 people injured.

Why it matters

The Oceanfront area of Virginia Beach has seen an increase in crime and violence during Spring Break season, prompting city leaders to consider stricter measures to maintain public safety. A curfew could help curb late-night incidents, but would also impact businesses and residents in the affected area.

The details

City leaders held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday to discuss potential plans to address the rise in Oceanfront crime. One proposal that emerged is a 9 PM curfew that would apply to all ages, not just minors, in the area from Rudees Loop to 31st Street. Exceptions would be made for those staying at hotels in the curfew zone. The city will hold a public hearing on Thursday before voting on the curfew, which could go into effect as soon as this Friday if approved.

  • The closed-door meeting was held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • If approved, the proposed 9 PM curfew could go into effect on Friday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Bobby Dyer

The mayor of Virginia Beach who called for action to address the Oceanfront crime issues.

Paul Neudigate

The Virginia Beach Police Chief who noted the department has had to increase staffing at the Oceanfront earlier than usual this year.

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What they’re saying

“The time is now for us to act, and we must act together. We must build the bridges that we need with the various entities that will put this together. It's a national problem, it's a local problem.”

— Bobby Dyer, Mayor

“Historically that is not something we've had to do as a police department.”

— Paul Neudigate, Police Chief

What’s next

City leaders will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 16, 2026 to further discuss the proposed 9 PM curfew at the Oceanfront. A vote will follow the hearing, and if approved, the curfew could go into effect the next day on Friday, April 17, 2026.

The takeaway

The proposed Oceanfront curfew highlights the ongoing challenges Virginia Beach faces in maintaining public safety and order during busy Spring Break seasons. While a curfew could help curb late-night incidents, it would also impact local businesses and residents, underscoring the need for a balanced approach that addresses the root causes of the crime issues.