A curfew could be imposed in Baltimore in the coming months. The local mayor called for a citywide youth curfew in late spring and throughout the summer. The mayor announced his plan after two minors, aged 14 and 16, were injured while the police tried to break up a mass brawl last Sunday.
As reported by WBAL-TV, the brawl involved more than 200 teenagers. They all gathered in the Inner-Harbor area of the city. The brawl broke out and ended with two young males having to be hospitalized. One is in critical condition and the other is in stable condition.
Police said two suspects were detained. One of them was in possession of a loaded weapon and also fit the description. The other suspect was found with a loaded gun in a police garage.
In response, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, a Democrat, announced that he would impose a curfew which would prevent children under 14 years of age from going out after 9 p.m. Young people between the ages of 14-17 wouldn’t be allowed out after 10 p.m.
Brandon Scott's intention to protect Baltimore's young people
Brandon Scott explained that the curfew will go into effect in late spring and will extend throughout the summer months. According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, the mayor said this measure intends to protect young people and reassure their families:
I want everyone to hear me, and hear me clearly. We are going back to the old days. We will be enforcing a youth curfew as we move into the latter spring and summer months.
It's not just about making sure we are getting them off the street, but making sure that we are supporting them and figuring out what's going on with them and their families. It is not normal for person to be that far away from their home and no one knows where they are or cares for them.
