In a recent move addressing concerns of unruly youth activity, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has initiated a “limited juvenile curfew” to bring order back to the city. This measure, aimed at curbing weeks of disruptive behavior, will remain effective until November 5. Bowser emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are declaring a limited juvenile curfew in Washington, DC. Effective immediately, all juveniles under the age of 18 are subject to a curfew from 11 PM until 6 AM, which will extend through November 5.”

In a post on X, Bowser explained that the juvenile curfew, which will apply to individuals 18-years-old or younger, will be in effect from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. until November 5. Bowser’s announcement came after hundreds of teenagers in the Navy Yard neighborhood of the District of Columbia were involved in an altercation on Friday and were seen blocking the streets.

The need for this curfew became apparent following an incident near the Navy Yard Metro Station, where teenagers began to assemble around 7:30 p.m. According to reports from Fox5DC, this crowd quickly swelled to several hundred individuals. Initially peaceful, the gathering soon spiraled into chaos as fights erupted and groups started obstructing traffic.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the unrest, reporting the arrest of four teenagers from the District of Columbia, along with an 18-year-old from Maryland. This crackdown underscores the city’s commitment to maintaining order and ensuring public safety.

Following these events, MPD Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith issued a stern statement regarding the conduct displayed at the Navy Yard. She described the behavior as “unacceptable” and assured residents that law enforcement agencies would bolster their presence to deter any repeat incidents. “Our law enforcement partners will be more visible in an effort to prevent a recurrence of last night’s events,” Smith declared in a press release.

Around 11 p.m., officers had reportedly cleared the park and directed many juveniles toward the Metro station. MPD maintained a heavy presence overnight to prevent further disturbances.

Four teenagers from the District of Columbia and an 18-year-old from Maryland were arrested as a result of the incident, the MPD said.

In a post on X, the MPD explained that as a result of Bowser’s order enacting a juvenile order, locations such as the U Street Corridor, Banneker Recreation Center, Navy Yard, and Union Station would see the juvenile curfew go into effect this evening.