As warm weather brings larger crowds to the Virginia Beach oceanfront, City Council and police are working together to keep visitors and residents safe.
Starting tonight, the emergency curfew for unaccompanied minors is now 7 p.m. in certain areas surrounding the oceanfront.
City Council had previously supported a curfew of 10 p.m. that was supposed to begin next weekend.
However, a shooting Saturday night on Atlantic Avenue led to the emergency order which aims to crack down on the potentially dangerous activity of local teens.
An 18-year-old Norfolk man allegedly fired six shots, injuring four innocent bystanders, ranging in age from 18 to 24. Six people were injured in the incident, and three arrests have been made to date. The shooter has argued the shots were fired in self-defense.
The emergency curfew, approved unanimously by City Council, will be enforced from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. every weekend, Friday to Sunday, through the end of April.
The 7 p.m. curfew will include areas near Rudee Park, Pacific Avenue and Atlantic Avenue, including the boardwalk. A 10 p.m. curfew in other areas outside of the oceanfront goes into effect March 19.
If a juvenile disregards the curfew, in most cases, they will be taken to a designated pickup location. In some cases, they will be transported to a crisis or juvenile center.
There are exceptions to both curfews including emergency errands, employment, event attendance and interstate travel.
Full ordinance details are posted online at VirginiaBeach.gov/CurfewChange.
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Crystal Graham
