Newark officials postpone plans for overnight curfew for minors

Newark officials say that the decision to postpone is because they hope to hold a news conference soon that will include “extensive information” about the curfew.

Matt Trapani

Apr 12, 2024, 8:24 PM

Updated 177 days ago

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Newark city officials have postponed plans to enact an overnight curfew for residents 17 years old and younger, which was supposed to go into effect at 11 p.m. Friday.
Newark officials say that the decision to postpone is because they hope to hold a news conference soon that will include “extensive information…about the whole comprehensive annual plan to keep kids, families and all residents safe in the summertime.”
The Juvenile Safety Initiative stated that children 17 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult if they are out of their homes between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
At the time, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said, “We want the children of our city to enjoy the outdoors safely by limiting the opportunity for them to find themselves in harm’s way.”
But some opposed the plan and raised concerns that a curfew could lead to negative interactions between Newark police officers and the city’s youth.
Newark officials said that those in violation of the curfew would not have been arrested and would have been escorted home.