LAUREL, Md. (7News) — A summer curfew for minors is now in effect across the City of Laurel, part of an effort by city leaders following recent public safety concerns and prevent large gatherings that could lead to violence or disorder.
The curfew, signed into effect by Mayor Keith Sydnor through an executive order, began Thursday and will remain in place through Sept. 8.
Under the order, anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from being in public places between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., seven days a week, unless they qualify for one of several exemptions.
RELATED | Summer-time youth curfew takes effect in Laurel
City officials say the measure comes after a series of troubling incidents in recent months, including a shooting during Cinco de Mayo celebrations, a separate stabbing incident, and multiple fights involving students connected to Laurel High School. Officials have also expressed concerns about unsupervised youth gatherings that have occurred throughout the region in recent years.
“We just want to make sure that our community is safe,” Sydnor told 7News. “I feel that 10 o’clock is enough time for our young folks to be home, do some positive engagement and be home.”
The mayor emphasized that the curfew is intended as a preventative measure rather than a punitive one. City leaders say the goal is to reduce opportunities for crime and disorder while encouraging young people to participate in organized summer programs, recreational activities and community events.
As part of that effort, city leaders are also promoting youth engagement opportunities, including the upcoming Safe Summer Nights program.
The initiative is designed for teens ages 13 to 17 and will provide supervised evening activities throughout the summer. The program is expected to include sports, games, arts activities, workshops, mentorship opportunities and other recreational programming at the Laurel Armory-Anderson & Murphy Community Center. Officials say the program is intended to offer teens a safe place to gather during evening hours while helping them stay connected to positive activities and community resources.
The city is also offering a variety of summer camps, recreational programs, sports activities and youth events through its Parks and Recreation Department.
Supporters of the curfew say providing structured opportunities for young people is a critical part of the city’s broader strategy to reduce violence and improve public safety during the summer months.
The executive order includes several exceptions for minors who are:
City officials said the exemptions are designed to ensure that young people can continue participating in legitimate educational, employment and community activities while still promoting public safety.
Youth curfews have long been used by cities across the country as a crime-prevention strategy, particularly during the summer months when school is not in session. Supporters argue that curfews can help reduce juvenile victimization, discourage late-night gatherings and provide law enforcement with an additional tool to intervene before situations escalate.
However, critics question whether curfews significantly reduce crime. Some civil liberties advocates contend that such measures can unfairly restrict the movement of young people and may simply shift activity to different locations or earlier hours rather than preventing it altogether.
Research on the effectiveness of youth curfews has produced mixed results. Some studies have found modest reductions in juvenile crime and victimization, while others have shown little measurable impact on overall crime rates.
Laurel officials said they will monitor the curfew’s impact throughout the summer and evaluate whether it contributes to safer neighborhoods and fewer incidents involving young people.
For now, city leaders are urging families to familiarize themselves with the new rules and encouraging teens to take advantage of summer recreation programs, community events and other structured activities available throughout the city.
The curfew is scheduled to expire on Sept. 8 unless city leaders take additional action.
Click here for the official link to the City of Laurel’s Safe Summer Nights youth program page.
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