Activists want more enforcement of Miami-Dade’s curfew for teenagers

MIAMI – Rev. Lorenzo Johnson said he wants police officers to do more to enforce a curfew for teenagers in Miami-Dade County. His plea was during a meeting Thursday with other community leaders.

The curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., from Friday to Sunday applies to minors who are not with a parent, legal guardian, or someone who is 21 years old that the parent or guardian trusts.

“It’s good to help save these kids lives,” said Johnson, of the Community Youth Against Violence, a religious non-profit organization based in Miami-Dade’s Gladeview area.

There are exceptions for teenagers who are homeless, working, traveling interstate, have written permission from a parent or guardian to run an errand, are aiding or assisting in an emergency, traveling to or from a school, religious, civic, or county-sponsored event, emancipated by marriage or court order, or exercising First Amendment rights.

Police officers will detain violators and take them home, to a police station or holding facility and issue a curfew violation citation to the parent or guardian. After three citations, the parent or legal guardian faces fines of up to $500.

For information about the curfew, download the ordinance brochure, read the full Miami-Dade juvenile curfew ordinance, or visit this page.