The Metropolitan Police Department declared four juvenile curfew zones on Friday, a day after a mayoral order reauthorized the District’s youth curfews.
The police established the Navy Yard, RFK, NoMA and Takoma zones, each of which went into effect Friday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The zones were reauthorized Thursday by an order from Mayor Muriel Bowser, as was the city’s general curfew, which applies to minors from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Navy Yard was zoned during the five previous times juvenile curfews were declared this year, while the other three zones are new. The police posted maps of the zones on social media.
MPD announces the establishment of four juvenile curfew zones beginning Friday, April 17, at 8:00 p.m.
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) April 17, 2026
Read more: https://t.co/oxBhTRN1Gs
Learn more about curfew enforcement here: https://t.co/PNddS3J8Zw pic.twitter.com/jq8cqKPwd1
Within the zones during the curfew hours, anyone under the age of 17 is forbidden from gathering in a group of nine or more. Minors are exempt from the zone restrictions if they are:
• Accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Out doing an errand for a parent or guardian, provided they aren’t stopping anywhere.
• Working or returning home from work, provided they aren’t stopping anywhere.
• Riding in a vehicle that is engaged in interstate travel.
• Involved in an emergency or become involved in one while in the zone.
• Standing on a sidewalk that connects their residence to a neighboring one, provided that their neighbor did not file a complaint with the police.
• Attending a city-sponsored recreational activity or one run by a civic organization, religious group or school, provided that the group takes responsibility for the minor and their transportation.
• Exercising their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech or assembly.
The general curfew and curfew zones were previously authorized by the Juvenile Curfew Emergency Amendment Act of 2025, which was passed by the D.C. Council. The law expired on Wednesday.
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, at-large Democrat, issued a resolution last month to delay a vote on reauthorizing the curfew until April 21, thereby allowing the law to expire.
The mayor’s order reauthorizes the general curfew and the issuance of the curfew zones until 11:59 p.m. on May 1. Ms. Bowser, a Democrat, wants the curfews to remain authorized permanently.
“I think the council should stop playing games with this,” the mayor said at a March 30 press conference. “This is a tool that we need. We’re going to keep coming back every 90 days. … We need it. We’re going to come back 90 days from now, stop playing games and move to permanent.”
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