Mayor Rawlings-Blake Releases Curfew Violation Numbers

Total number of violations since opening of Youth Connections Centers in August

BALTIMORE, Md. (September 11, 2014)—Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake released the number of nighttime curfew violations issued since the opening of the Youth Connections Centers in August.

A total of 120 nighttime curfew violations were issued by the Baltimore Police Department (BPD)—23 youth were taken to Youth Connections Centers, while 97 were escorted home directly by police. The average age of youth issued violations was 13 years old. The youngest child, age three, was found with an older relative, who was also in violation of the curfew. The oldest youth found violating curfew was16 years old.

“My administration will continue to monitor the numbers and do all we can to make sure that families are informed about the curfew and the Youth Connections Centers,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “While, there is still more work to do in reaching families, this data confirms what we've known for 20 years—the expanded curfew and Youth Connections Centers can be an effective tool in connecting vulnerable youth and their families to much-needed resources. We will continue to provide the assistance our families need to ensure that children are continuously accounted for and out of harm’s way.”

The goal of the Youth Connections Centers is to ensure that the city’s most vulnerable youth and their families are directly connected with wrap-around services and support, including mentoring, intramural sports, counseling, as well as leadership and academic programs.

There are currently two Youth Connections Centers in operation: Lillian Jones Recreation Center at 1301 N. Stricker Street in West Baltimore and Collington Square at 1409 N. Patterson Park Avenue in East Baltimore. Both centers are in operation on Friday and Saturday nights, beginning at 8:00 pm.

The Mayor’s Office on Criminal Justice works collaboratively with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, the Baltimore Police Department, Baltimore City Public Schools, and other partner organizations to ensure that youth who have violated curfew are connected to the services they need.