Council Approves Temporary Uptown Curfew for Unsupervised Minors

The Columbus City Council has approved a temporary curfew ordinance aimed at addressing public safety concerns involving unsupervised minors in Uptown Columbus during late-night hours.

The ordinance will take effect 10 days after being signed by Mayor Skip Henderson and will remain in force through Sept. 30, 2026, unless extended by the City Council.

The curfew applies only within the Uptown Columbus district, encompassing the area between 8th Street and 14th Street and bounded by 2nd Avenue and Bay Avenue.

Under the ordinance, individuals younger than 18 years old may not remain in public places within the designated Uptown area between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or another adult with lawful authority to supervise them. Several exceptions are included in the ordinance for specific circumstances.

City officials said the measure was adopted in response to ongoing concerns about large groups of unsupervised minors gathering in Uptown during evening and overnight hours. Police, business owners, residents, and community stakeholders have reported incidents involving disruptive behavior, trespassing, fights, shootings, and other activities affecting public safety and local commerce.

According to the Columbus Police Department, hundreds of calls for service and arrests have been recorded in the Uptown district in recent years. Officials said many of those incidents occurred during nighttime hours and involved large groups of unsupervised juveniles.

“This ordinance is not about punishing kids. It is temporary and will end at the end of the summer,” Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis said. “Most of all, we need the help of parents. This is an overall strategic step to reduce crime, and we can’t do it alone. This is not about keeping kids out of Uptown. It’s about keeping people safe.”

Police officials said the department will work with parents, business owners, residents, and community organizations to educate the public about the new requirements and ensure consistent enforcement throughout the summer.

City leaders are encouraging parents and guardians to familiarize themselves with the ordinance, understand its provisions, and remain actively involved in monitoring their children's whereabouts and activities during evening hours.

Supporters of the measure say the temporary curfew is intended to improve public safety while preserving access to Uptown for families and visitors during the busy summer season. The ordinance will be reviewed by city officials as its Sept. 30 expiration date approaches.