Dem mayor calls for citywide curfew for minors in Baltimore following spike in youth violence

Democratic Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced plans this week to implement a citywide curfew for minors in spring and summer following a spike in youth violence, WJZ-TV reported.

On Sunday, sometime after 9 p.m., a fight broke out among a large group of teenagers in the Inner Harbor area, and a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old sustained gunshot wounds.

According to police, more than 200 minors were gathered in the area when the brawl occurred.

While authorities arrested an individual involved in the fight, shots rang out. As a result, one minor sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, and the other child was shot in the back. Both teens are reportedly in stable condition.

Police officers arrested an individual attempting to escape the scene on a dirt bike. Authorities reported that the individual was in possession of a loaded firearm.

Another individual was arrested who was believed to be involved in the shooting and matched the witnesses' description. That suspect was also in possession of a loaded gun.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison and Mayor Scott addressed the incident in a press conference following the shooting.

Harrison stated that more than 40 officers responded to the scene.

"This speaks to a larger issue, that young people have easy access to these firearms and would use them indiscriminately, shooting people within 30 feet with 25 to 30 police officers who were in the area," Harrison said. "They don't care about the consequences and have no respect for human life or authority to pull off that brazenly cowardly act in front of police officers."

Mayor Scott said, "We are going to do everything in our power to make sure we are protecting the lives our younger people."

Scott announced a 9 p.m. curfew for minors 14 years old and younger and a 10 p.m. curfew for minors over 15 years old and older.

"I want everyone to hear me, and hear me clearly," he added. "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."

In 2023 so far, 23 children under 18 have been injured by gunfire, and five children have been fatally shot, according to Baltimore police.

Scott also announced a plan to launch summer camps and other youth programs.

"We are going to do the great things we do in recreation and parks but we are also going to put a sense of accountability on families. We want our young kids to come out to the Inner Harbor and enjoy it in a safe way," he added.

The mayor explained that the city's plan involves getting children off the street and "making sure that we are supporting them and figuring out what's going on with them and their families."

"It is not normal for a person to be that far away from their home and no one knows where they are or cares for them," Scott stated.

Two teens shot while police break up large fight among minors near Inner Harboryoutu.be

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