A new ordinance has been enacted in Charleston, South Carolina, establishing a nighttime curfew for minors across the city’s central business district. The ordinance, which received final approval from the Charleston City Council on June 17, aims to curb underage crime and improve public safety in one of the city’s busiest areas.
Details of the Curfew
The curfew will apply to anyone 17 years old or younger and will be enforced from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day during the summer months. For the remainder of the year, the curfew will only be in effect from Thursday through Sunday.
Minors will be prohibited from being out alone in the specified area, which includes:
- King Street from Carolina Street to Broad Street
- Market Street, south of King Street
- East Bay Street from Market Street to Broad Street
Purpose Behind the Curfew
City officials emphasized that the curfew is a response to an increase in underage crime in the King Street area. Since January, Charleston police have responded to at least 40 late-night incidents involving minors, including assaults, vehicle break-ins, weapon violations, underage drinking, and drug possession.
Mayor William Cogswell highlighted the growing problem, pointing to videos circulating online showing large groups of teenagers congregating on street corners, parking lots, and other public areas. “These are not folks going to and from work or from one house to another. These are gangs of kids,” he said in a May 20 interview with News 2.
Community Concerns and Exceptions
While city officials support the curfew, some community advocates argue that the ordinance could negatively impact Charleston’s young people by creating unnecessary interactions with police. Marcus McDonald, lead organizer of Charleston’s Black Lives Matter chapter, described the curfew as “punitive and reactionary” and called for creative programs to engage teens, rather than imposing restrictions on their movement.
The ordinance does include exceptions, such as for minors who are accompanied by a parent or guardian, working, involved in an emergency, attending a sponsored event, or exercising their First Amendment rights.
Penalties for Violations
Under the new ordinance, adults who allow minors to violate the curfew could face a fine of up to $500 or 30 days in jail. If a minor is found violating the curfew, they may be taken into custody, though the specifics of the punishment were not outlined in the ordinance.
Implementation Timeline
The curfew is set to take effect immediately but will not be enforced until June 27, 2025, to give time for public notice and officer training.
The new curfew aims to address safety concerns in Charleston’s central business district by limiting late-night gatherings of minors. However, its effectiveness and potential impact on youth-police interactions will be closely watched by the community and city officials alike.
