28-05-2025
City of Charleston considers first reading of juvenile curfew ordinance
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) –Charleston City Council is discussing a controversial proposal Tuesday night that would establish a juvenile curfew in the central business district.
The curfew would be King Street from Carolina St to Broad, Market Street south of King and East Bay Street from Market to Broad to prevent kids, 17 and younger, from being out by themselves during certain hours ahead of a busy summer in the Lowcountry.
'A curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. especially on summer weekends, we have 4th of July on a Friday Halloween on a Friday, all these major holidays are not only exciting times for kids but exciting times for businesses because they get a lot of customers,' said Zuriel Nyamutsaka, a rising high school senior. We're happy to be kids, a lot of us are working a lot of contribute to our community it feels like we're not getting much out of it.'
The push for a juvenile curfew comes from an effort by the City of Charleston and Charleston Police to derail underage crime. The City of Charleston reports over 40 late night incidents since January, involving minors along the King Street corridors including drug possession, assaults, vehicle break-ins, weapon violations, vandalism and underage drinking.
'People visiting here should be able to go out and have fun and do it safely, just like people who live here should expect to live safely. Business owners deserve for people to come feel safe and spend money at their establishment,' said Stephen M. Bowden, who represents District 10.
There would be exemptions related to work, school or church events and other civic activities. Officials say this measure is not meant to punitive.
'There will be no targeting of underage people, there will be no discriminatory impact. I trust our police force to carry out the policies we enact with an eye towards the least restrictive measure,' said Bowden.
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