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With the summer rapidly approaching, following months of discussion, officials announced that there will be a juvenile curfew at National Harbor, effective as of 5 p.m. on Friday, April 26.
Under the executive order, which has been signed, anyone 16 years old and younger without supervision of someone at least 21 will be required to be off the property between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
The measure comes following several incidents involving teenagers at National Harbor, including a melee involving hundreds that was caught on camera and went viral.
"Among the concerns that have been raised are instances of large groups of juveniles and minors engaging in disorderly conduct, shoplifting, and vandalism," officials said.
"National Harbor businesses have suffered property damage and loss, and residents and visitors have been negatively impacted."
Citing recent juvenile curfews that were put in place in 2020 for COVID-19 and again in 2022 for reckless behavior, officials stressed that the executive order is only a temporary measure.
"Legislation that is currently before the County Council will allow commercial property owners the ability to request zones within the county to have a more restrictive juvenile curfew," they stated. "When this bill passes and National Harbor applies to have a curfew zone in effect, it will replace the executive order curfew."
There are certain exceptions to the curfew under the executive order when they are:
- Accompanied by a parent or guardian;
- Accompanied by a person over the age of 21 authorized by a parent or guardian;
- On the sidewalk in front of where the minor lives, or the home of a next door neighbor if the neighbor did not complain;
- Returning home by a direct route from a school activity, work, or religious services;
- Authorized attendees to a senior prom event at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, though they have to attend and leave directly after the event.
The Prince George's County Police Department is also working on "an enhanced coverage plan" for National Harbor.
"Protecting the county and the county’s youth is a team effort, and that includes parents and caregivers," officials added. "National Harbor is not a daycare or a playground, and constant monitoring of the county’s youth is not the job of the government.
"The National Harbor district is a regional destination for everyone to enjoy," they continued. "Enforcement of these measures is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of residents, businesses, visitors, including the county’s youth."
The complete Executive Order can be found here.
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