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.

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.