Dem Mayor Demands Curfew To Curb Skyrocketing Youth Violence

Democratic Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced plans Sunday to institute a late spring and summer curfew for minors across the city as it struggles with persistent youth violence, according to CBS Baltimore.

Police said a 14-year-old and 16-year-old were non-fatally shot Sunday night during a fight that occurred when more than 200 minors congregated close to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the outlet reported. The shooting reportedly happened as officers were arresting a fight participant, and Scott declared afterward that the city would enforce a 9 pm curfew for those under 15 years old and 10 pm for those under the age of 18 “as we move into the latter spring and summer months.”

“We are going to have summer camp,” Scott said, according to CBS Baltimore. “We are going to do the great things we do in recreation and parks but we are also going to put a sense of accountability on families. We want our young kids to come out to the Inner Harbor and enjoy it in a safe way.”

Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said more than two dozen police officers were in the area when the shots rang out, arguing the incident “speaks to a larger issue, that young people have easy access to these firearms and would use them indiscriminately” despite that law enforcement presence, CBS Baltimore reported. Shootings have killed 5 minors and hurt 23 more in Baltimore this year, police indicate.

Baltimore saw 22 juveniles killed in 2022, a more than 60% increase compared to the previous year, Fox 5 News reported.

“It doesn’t surprise nor affect me because it happens all the time,” city resident Brandon Hart told the outlet after an 18-year-old was shot and killed near his home on April 3. “I think it just needs to be stricter gun laws and I think we as parents just need to raise our kids better.”

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org