Policy To Enforce Baltimore Youth Curfew Outlined In New Memo

By FOX45
Posted on 05/24/23 | News Source: FOX45

In a memo that has yet to be officially released, Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison details how his department plans to enforce the youth curfew in the city this summer.

The policy says that youth found violating the curfew will be warned three times, in two languages if possible, about leaving the area. Children violating the curfew will be taken to Youth Connection Centers, but only if they consent to it, according to the policy.

Body-worn cameras must be activated before the announcement is made, according to the policy.

The policy also says that officers are not to take youth into custody if the only law they violate is the curfew.

Body-worn cameras must be activated before the announcement is made, according to the policy.

The curfew applies to people under 17 years old, the policy states. For children younger than 14, the curfew is 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Starting the Friday before Memorial Day, the curfew for children between 15 and 16 years old is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

According to the policy, transportation to a youth center is not a replacement for an arrest. "If there is reasonable articulable suspicion (RAS) or probable cause that the youth has committed or is committing a crime (e.g. destruction of property, assault, etc.), the member shall address the crime or suspected crime as set forth in Policy 1202, Interactions with Youth and other BPD policies," says the memo.

The policy also says that officers are not to take youth into custody if the only law they violate is the curfew.