Virginia Beach Introduces 9:30 PM Curfew After Oceanfront Shootings

The new curfew will apply to all ages on remaining Friday and Saturday nights in April.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent shell casing on a dark, textured surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the investigation into recent gun violence in Virginia Beach.A recent spate of shootings at Virginia Beach's Oceanfront has prompted city leaders to enact a strict new curfew in an effort to curb violence.Virginia Beach Today

The Virginia Beach City Council voted 10-1 to implement a 9:30 PM curfew for the Oceanfront area on the remaining Friday and Saturday nights in April, following a pair of shootings that injured a total of 14 people over the past month. The curfew will apply to all ages, with some exemptions for emergencies, work, and protected First Amendment activities.

Why it matters

The Oceanfront area of Virginia Beach has seen an uptick in violent crime, including two recent shootings that left multiple people injured. City leaders hope the new curfew will help curb this trend and improve public safety in the popular tourist destination.

The details

The curfew will be in effect from 9:30 PM to 5 AM and will cover the Oceanfront area between Pacific Avenue and the Boardwalk, from Rudee Loop to 31st Street. The existing 7 PM curfew for unaccompanied minors will remain in place. Officials noted that several exemptions will still apply, including for emergencies, travel to and from work, and attendance at religious services or protected First Amendment activities.

  • The curfew will be in effect on the remaining Friday and Saturday nights in April 2026.

The players

Virginia Beach City Council

The governing body of the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia, which voted 10-1 to implement the new curfew.

Jennifer Rouse

The lone dissenting vote on the Virginia Beach City Council regarding the new curfew.

Joash Schulman

A Virginia Beach City Council member who noted that the recent shootings involved people not from the Hampton Roads area.

David Hutcheson

A Virginia Beach City Council member who defended the city's commitment to public safety in response to criticism.

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What they’re saying

“If you look at the people who have either been the shooters or have been shot, these are people who are not even from Hampton Roads.”

— Joash Schulman, Virginia Beach City Council member

“It's just crap that anybody would say we're not public safety-friendly and really care about our public safety folks all the way up and down the line.”

— David Hutcheson, Virginia Beach City Council member

What’s next

The new curfew will go into effect on the remaining Friday and Saturday nights in April 2026. City officials will monitor the impact of the curfew and evaluate whether to extend it beyond the initial trial period.

The takeaway

The Virginia Beach City Council's decision to implement a 9:30 PM curfew for the Oceanfront area reflects the city's efforts to address a recent surge in violent crime and improve public safety in this popular tourist destination. While the curfew has some exemptions, it represents a proactive step by local leaders to curb the issue and restore a sense of security for residents and visitors alike.