MPD LAUNCHES CURFEW AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

MPD LAUNCHES CURFEW AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
To raise awareness about the District of Columbia’s curfew law, and to remind young people that the Metropolitan Police will pick them up if they’re out past curfew, the MPD police cadets created a curfew awareness video with a message geared toward youth. At the end of the video, “Are U in?” is texted to a young person who decided to stay out past curfew
and who gets picked up by the police. The “Are U in?” tagline has been incorporated into a series of four posters with a simple and straightforward message – if you’re under 17 years of age and you’re out in the District after curfew, you will be picked up.

Posters will be displayed in each of the seven police districts stations as well as at Police Headquarters. Additionally, patrol officers will share these Curfew Awareness posters with businesses and other establishments where young people are known to hang out, particularly
in areas where curfew has become an issue.

From September 1 through June 30, DC’s curfew for young people under the age of 17 starts at 11 pm, Sunday through Thursday nights, and at 12:01 am on weekends.
Beginning Friday, July 1, and continuing through August 31, DC’s curfew starts at 12:01 am, and continues until 6 am seven days a week. This is an hour later than the weeknight curfew during school months. Under DC law, persons under the age of 17 cannot remain in or on a street, park or other outdoor public place, in a vehicle or on the premises of any
establishment within the District during curfew hours, unless they are involved in certain exempted activities. These include work, school, religious, civic or organized recreational activities,as well as the exercise of First Amendment rights. DC’s curfew law applies to all
young people who are in the District during curfew hours, regardless of whether they live inside or outside the city.