Curfews Alone Won’t Solve the Problem — But Doing Nothing Is No Longer an Option

Viral “teen takeovers” are no longer isolated incidents happening only in major cities. What started as social media-fueled gatherings of bored teenagers seeking attention, excitement, and online clout has now become a growing public safety issue across America. Downtown districts, malls, beaches, parks and entertainment areas are increasingly seeing large groups of unsupervised youth gather suddenly and without warning. And unfortunately, some of these gatherings are ending in vandalism, fights, robberies, shootings and chaos.

Cities nationwide are scrambling to respond.

Some communities are discussing parental accountability laws that would hold parents financially or legally responsible for their children’s actions. Others are implementing stricter curfews and increasing police presence in entertainment districts. At the same time, many youth advocates are encouraging cities to create more supervised “third spaces” — safe environments where teenagers can gather, socialize and engage in productive activities.

Now Columbus finds itself facing the same reality.

Columbus Council is scheduled to consider implementing a curfew for unattended minors in the downtown area after the Columbus Police Department reportedly recorded more than 400 incidents in that district dating back to 2025. The proposed ordinance would make it unlawful, except for certain exemptions, for anyone under the age of 18 to be in public areas between Eighth Street and 14th Street and between Second Avenue and Bay Avenue from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m.

Given the current climate, I support a curfew — but not just downtown. I believe if the city only closes downtown, the problem simply relocates. The same groups will move to other parts of the city, and we will be dealing with the exact same issues somewhere else next weekend.

This conversation also requires honesty.

I have spoken with Black officers who genuinely care about our youth. And let’s be honest — we are talking about OUR children. These officers are increasingly concerned because they are encountering younger and younger kids in these crowds. We are no longer talking only about 16- and 17-year-olds. They are seeing children as young as 11, 12 and 13 years old carrying weapons in backpacks and hoodies.

That should alarm every parent in this city.

Nobody wants to spend this summer attending candlelight vigils, burying children, or watching another grieving family launch a GoFundMe page because they were financially unprepared for tragedy. At some point, difficult conversations must happen inside our homes and not just inside council chambers.

The city cannot raise, monitor and supervise children all night long.

Now, could more safe spaces and activities help? Absolutely. Facilities like community centers, gyms, recreational programs and youth-focused gathering spaces are important. Investing in positive outlets for young people matters. Mentorship matters. Engagement matters. Opportunity matters.

But let’s also deal with reality.

Places like Shirley B. Winston Recreation Center and other facilities cannot remain open all night. Staff members have families. Resources are limited. Security concerns are real. And eventually, there comes a point where young people simply need to be home.

That may sound old-fashioned to some people, but structure, accountability and parental involvement still matter.

This issue cannot become another political debate where adults spend more time arguing over optics than solving the problem. We can support our youth while also demanding responsibility. We can create opportunities while still enforcing boundaries. Those two things are not mutually exclusive.

A curfew by itself will not solve everything. But doing nothing while these gatherings continue escalating is not leadership either.