Curfew for teens in Newark set to begin on Friday

NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11) -- Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and city officials announced that the city will begin an overnight curfew for minors starting Friday.

This curfew ordinance is part of a city initiative called Juvenile Safety Initiative, in hopes to keep young people safe, according to Mayor Baraka. The curfew will last from 11 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for children aged 17 and under.

Minors can't go more than 100 yards from their homes while the curfew is in effect unless they are with an adult, officials said. There will be some exceptions such as extracurricular school activities, jobs, and other social events, authorities said.

“We want the children of our city to enjoy the outdoors safely by limiting the opportunity for them to find themselves in harm’s way,” Mayor Baraka said. “The safest place for children at night is under the mindful supervision of their parents or another trusted adult, not on the streets. This initiative is aimed at ensuring Newark children are kept safe.”

If a minor violates the curfew they will be given a verbal warning from a police officer and then driven home. If they violate the curfew a second time within six months authorities will take the child to  Newark Police Youth Strategies Section at 43 Dickerson Street to be picked up by a parent or guardian.