Overview
- Mayor Keith Sydnor signed an executive order that bans anyone under 18 from public spaces between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. from Thursday, June 18 through Sept. 8.
- The curfew applies citywide to minors and includes three narrow exceptions for those with a parent or guardian, those returning home within an hour from school, religious or entertainment activities, and those traveling to or from work with proof of employment.
- The Laurel Police Department will enforce the order, complete Youth Field Contact Reports when officers engage minors, and notify parents who are required to respond and take custody if a child is detained.
- City leaders say the curfew is part of a prevention-first approach that includes funding and city-run teen events this summer and input from a student ambassador to shape programming.
- Officials and local coverage place Laurel’s move in the same policy trend as Baltimore’s multi-year summer youth strategy that pairs curfews with jobs, recreation and outreach to try to reduce late-night incidents and victimization.