By By Danlette G. Wahsington
Columbus City Council has approved revisions to the city’s juvenile curfew ordinance, establishing earlier nighttime curfews for minors while allowing a six-month education and warning period before enhanced penalties take effect.
Under the updated ordinance, children under the age of 13 must not remain on public streets, parks, entertainment venues, vacant lots, or other unsupervised public places between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Teenagers ages 13 through 17 are prohibited from remaining in those public places between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
City officials said the delayed enforcement period, which runs until January 1, 2027, is intended to educate families, raise public awareness, and connect youth with community resources before enhanced penalties are implemented. During this period, law enforcement officers are expected to focus on warnings, parental notification, and referrals to services rather than immediate punishment.
The revised ordinance includes several exceptions. Minors are permitted to be out during curfew hours if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian, traveling to or from work, returning from school, religious, or organized activities, responding to an emergency, or participating in other activities allowed under the law.
The changes come after city leaders raised concerns about late-night gatherings involving teenagers and emphasized that the curfew is part of a broader strategy to improve public safety while supporting families and young people. City officials have also stressed that the curfew alone is not intended to solve youth violence or crime but is one component of a larger prevention effort.
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