Critics Condemn Teen Curfew

Montgomery County's proposed curfew spurred more rancor than support Tuesday afternoon at the controversial measure's public hearing in Rockville, including sharp criticism from several members of the County Council.

Eighteen of the 27 people who testified to the County Council blasted the curfew on several fronts, from its ineffectiveness to the difficulty of fairly enforcing a curfew.

"It would criminalize any teenager out at night and without any discernible benefit," said Abigail Burman, 17, of Silver Spring, a co-founder of the Facebook page Stand Up to the MoCo Youth Curfew. "This is suppressive without being preventative."

More than 100 people attended the hearing on Bill 25-11, which was introduced at the request of County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) on July 12. It would establish a curfew for minors from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Exceptions include youths who are working or are accompanied by a parent.

Similar laws are in effect in Washington, D.C., and Prince George’s County. Supporters of the bill claim that youths come to Montgomery County from surrounding districts because there is no curfew.

The bill was introduced after a gang fight during July 4 weekend in downtown Silver Spring that resulted in the stabbing of a 17-year-old girl.

"These recent events and hundreds others call for immediate action," Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said. "…A curfew law may not be a panacea, but it would be a valuable law enforcement tool."

The Council’s public safety committee is scheduled to discuss the curfew on Sept. 15. Council members said Tuesday that the legislation will likely go through significant changes before it is voted on.

"It clearly needs a lot of work. It came to us in a very flawed condition," said Council President Valerie Ervin (D-Dist. 5) of Silver Spring. "…We’re far from a perfect bill. We don’t even know where we’re moving yet."