Curfew Enforcement in Baltimore Questioned Following Recent Juvenile Arrests

BALTIMORE — The recent arrests of five juveniles in Fells Point have raised significant questions about the enforcement of the city's curfew regulations. The Baltimore Police Department confirmed that four juveniles were apprehended following a fight near Aliceanna Street and Broadway, while a 17-year-old female was arrested for allegedly assaulting an officer.

In light of these incidents, inquiries were directed to the Baltimore Police regarding the enforcement of the city-mandated curfew. However, a spokesperson for the department redirected all questions to the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE).

MONSE has acknowledged that their staff has been actively engaging with youth in Fells Point and conducting ID checks. Despite this, they lack the legal authority to enforce the curfew. A spokesperson for MONSE stated that while the curfew ordinance has existed since 1978, its enforcement has historically been inconsistent, often penalizing young people merely for being out during the summer months.

In an effort to address these issues, Mayor Scott has introduced a new approach to curfew enforcement that aims to minimize police involvement and focus on youth engagement. This strategy prioritizes providing alternative activities for young people rather than relying on detentions or arrests for curfew violations.

Legal expert Jeremy Eldridge criticized the current system, stating, “MONSE can't do anything... it's a rule without any enforcement action. Only the Baltimore City Police Department is capable of enforcing the Baltimore City curfew.”

In response to further inquiries about the effectiveness of extending the curfew in light of recent events, MONSE reiterated their collaborative efforts with the Baltimore Police and community organizations to ensure youth safety. They emphasized that detaining minors is not their sole approach, focusing instead on encouraging young people to return home or engage in safer activities.

MONSE highlighted that their outreach has been effective in preventing unaccompanied minors from accessing certain areas after curfew hours, citing previous events like AFRAM and the Fourth of July as examples of their proactive measures.

City officials stress that keeping young people safe is a community-wide responsibility, urging parents and families to be actively involved in guiding their teens' choices.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).