Charlotte youth curfew starts in November to address teen crime

Charlotte will implement a youth curfew starting in November as part of a pilot program aimed at reducing youth crime, WBTV reported. The ordinance requires anyone under 18 to be off the streets between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., except for work, school events, or when accompanied by an adult.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson advocated for the curfew to protect young people and address a rise in teen takeovers. Chief Patterson expressed concern that without intervention, such events could lead to fatal consequences.

Charlotte City Council members supported the pilot program, which will begin citywide. Council Member Dante Anderson noted that similar curfews in areas like Camp North End have led to improvements by reducing late-night gatherings of unaccompanied minors.

The city plans to collect data during the pilot, including the number of teens officers warn and locations of gatherings, to evaluate the curfew's effectiveness. Youth advocate and high school junior Harmoni Moorer supports the curfew but emphasizes it should be part of broader efforts including safety education, family support, and positive youth development.