POLITICS

Coastal Cities Impose Curfews After Teen Takeovers Spread

▪

Read, Watch or Listen

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 4

Center 100%

Sources: 4

Newport News, Va. — On June 9, Newport News City Council voted 7-0 to adopt an ordinance authorizing a temporary 7 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors in City Center at Oyster Point, effective June 10 and scheduled through July 5; the council also approved expanded police authority to respond to large pop-up meetup events. Virginia Beach faced a judicial halt to a separate 9:30 p.m. all-ages Oceanfront curfew after businesses challenged the emergency order, while Myrtle Beach police reiterated a 9 p.m. Ocean Boulevard curfew for those 17 and younger; D.C. mayoral candidates discussed teen takeovers and public safety during interviews earlier this month.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

June 3, 2026: D.C. mayoral candidates discussed teen takeovers on Sunrise on The Hill.
June 9, 2026: Newport News City Council voted 7-0 to adopt a temporary 7 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors.
June 10, 2026: Newport News temporary curfew for City Center went into effect and was scheduled through July 5.
Early June 2026: Myrtle Beach Police issued a public reminder enforcing a 9 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors in the Ocean Boulevard district.
Mid-June 2026: A Virginia Beach Circuit Court issued a temporary restraining order blocking a 9:30 p.m. all-ages Oceanfront curfew after business challenges.

Why This Matters to You

Curfews impact your family's freedom to move around town. If you have teens, they'll need to be home earlier in Newport News and Myrtle Beach. Virginia Beach's curfew is on hold, but could return. Keep an eye on local news for updates.

The Bottom Line

These curfews are a response to teen takeovers, aiming to keep public spaces safe and manageable. But they also limit personal freedoms, especially for young people. Worth forwarding if you know families vacationing in these areas this summer.