1 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:15,737 Chamber. I'm calling to order this 2 00:00:15,737 --> 00:00:16,871 meeting. Legislative meeting of the 3 00:00:16,871 --> 00:00:18,710 council of the district of columbia. 4 00:00:18,710 --> 00:00:23,310 this is the 28th legislative meeting of council period 26. 5 00:00:23,310 --> 00:00:29,250 and I believe all the members are participating in person. 6 00:00:29,250 --> 00:00:32,553 I think well, we'll see. We'll determine a quorum in a 7 00:00:32,553 --> 00:00:35,723 minute. This is an additional meeting. 8 00:00:35,723 --> 00:00:38,526 that is to say, it's not a regularly scheduled meeting. 9 00:00:38,526 --> 00:00:41,496 the next regular meeting of the council legislative meeting will 10 00:00:41,496 --> 00:00:44,631 be on may 5th. We always begin our legislative 11 00:00:44,631 --> 00:00:45,766 meetings. With a moment of silence. 12 00:00:45,766 --> 00:00:50,705 I would ask that members on the dais, as well as everyone in the 13 00:00:50,705 --> 00:00:56,105 chamber, respect a moment of silence, an opportunity for 14 00:00:56,344 --> 00:00:59,344 reflection. Madam secretary, would you 15 00:01:16,531 --> 00:01:20,234 please call the roll? Council member allen here. 16 00:01:20,234 --> 00:01:23,771 councilmember bonds here. Councilmember crawford here. 17 00:01:23,771 --> 00:01:26,771 councilmember felder, present. Councilmember frumin. 18 00:01:27,809 --> 00:01:29,810 present. Councilmember henderson here. 19 00:01:29,810 --> 00:01:31,679 councilmember louis. George here. 20 00:01:31,679 --> 00:01:33,381 here. Chairman mendelson. 21 00:01:33,381 --> 00:01:35,381 present. Councilmember nadeau. 22 00:01:37,585 --> 00:01:39,985 here. Councilmember parker here. 23 00:01:40,888 --> 00:01:43,888 councilmember pinto. Present councilmember robert 24 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:47,492 white. Councilmember robert white, 25 00:01:48,596 --> 00:01:50,331 councilmember trayon white, sr. Present. 26 00:01:50,331 --> 00:01:55,469 mr. Chairman, you have a quorum. Thank you, madam secretary. 27 00:01:55,469 --> 00:02:01,442 the agenda says consent agenda. I'm going to assume it's a non 28 00:02:01,442 --> 00:02:04,278 consent agenda unless there's objection. 29 00:02:04,278 --> 00:02:08,383 and so we will proceed to first reading and vote on proposed 30 00:02:08,383 --> 00:02:11,983 bills. We have bill 20 6-461 entitled 31 00:02:12,453 --> 00:02:16,190 the juvenile curfew amendment act of 2026, reported out of the 32 00:02:16,190 --> 00:02:19,226 committee on judiciary and public safety, chaired by 33 00:02:19,226 --> 00:02:21,429 council member pinto councilmember. 34 00:02:21,429 --> 00:02:24,429 pinto. Thank you, mr. Chairman. 35 00:02:24,598 --> 00:02:27,602 as discussed in the cao today, we have before us the permanent 36 00:02:27,602 --> 00:02:32,306 version of the juvenile curfew amendment act, and we must 37 00:02:32,306 --> 00:02:36,210 continue ensuring that our kids are engaged in positive 38 00:02:36,210 --> 00:02:41,100 activities and keep them safe from dangerous situations. 39 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:44,518 again, over the last eight months, this tool to allow mpd 40 00:02:44,518 --> 00:02:48,423 to declare specific juvenile curfew zones and extend the 41 00:02:48,423 --> 00:02:53,160 applicability to 17 year olds has proven to be successful in 42 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:55,996 keeping youth, residents, visitors and others safe and 43 00:02:55,996 --> 00:02:59,233 preventing harm. We have seen an uprise in 44 00:02:59,233 --> 00:03:04,505 so-called teen takeovers, and we need to similarly be responsive 45 00:03:04,505 --> 00:03:09,477 with new tools ourselves. Curfew violations in dc do not 46 00:03:09,477 --> 00:03:15,853 result in arrests and the curfew zones themselves only apply to 47 00:03:15,853 --> 00:03:20,124 groups of eight or more unsupervised kids under the age 48 00:03:20,124 --> 00:03:22,292 of 18. And I want to reiterate that. 49 00:03:22,292 --> 00:03:26,463 so people know that even when a zone is declared, kids in 50 00:03:26,463 --> 00:03:30,434 smaller groups are still free to be in those spaces and enjoy 51 00:03:30,434 --> 00:03:35,205 them as they can with any other space across the city. 52 00:03:35,205 --> 00:03:38,475 I also want to note two questions that have come came up 53 00:03:38,475 --> 00:03:41,546 earlier in the discussion. One is that the national guard 54 00:03:41,546 --> 00:03:45,483 is not authorized to make arrests, and two to 55 00:03:45,483 --> 00:03:48,251 councilmember louis george's questions of opc complaints. 56 00:03:48,251 --> 00:03:51,489 there has been one that I'm aware of, which is the one 57 00:03:51,489 --> 00:03:55,225 instance that happened over this past weekend that we are 58 00:03:55,225 --> 00:03:58,225 tracking closely. And concerned about. 59 00:04:00,597 --> 00:04:04,535 so I won't repeat everything I said about the at the cao of the 60 00:04:04,535 --> 00:04:09,807 importance of this bill, but I do think that as all adults 61 00:04:09,807 --> 00:04:12,442 throughout our city, whether you're on the council or whether 62 00:04:12,442 --> 00:04:15,913 you work in an agency, whether you're a parent, a teacher, 63 00:04:15,913 --> 00:04:19,316 anyone who works with young people, we all should be on the 64 00:04:19,316 --> 00:04:22,920 same team that it is incumbent on all of us to do everything we 65 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:27,791 can to support and invest in our young people, and to set clear 66 00:04:27,791 --> 00:04:30,461 standards of safe behavior to keep them safe. 67 00:04:30,461 --> 00:04:33,263 and I know that we're all committed to that goal. 68 00:04:33,263 --> 00:04:38,936 and so I ask my colleagues to support this bill today. 69 00:04:38,936 --> 00:04:44,336 thank you, councilmember. The agenda states that you are 70 00:04:44,607 --> 00:04:47,244 moving an amendment nature of a substitute. 71 00:04:47,244 --> 00:04:49,813 yeah. So thank you very much. 72 00:04:49,813 --> 00:04:51,915 I was moving an amendment in the nature of a substitute. 73 00:04:51,915 --> 00:04:55,685 but after close collaboration and work with councilmember 74 00:04:55,685 --> 00:04:59,589 crawford and mayor bowser, I'm happy to say that we have come 75 00:04:59,589 --> 00:05:03,827 to a compromise and I'm withdrawing this as today, 76 00:05:03,827 --> 00:05:05,996 councilmember crawford and I have found a workable solution 77 00:05:05,996 --> 00:05:11,502 to move this legislation forward with one combined ans and so I'm 78 00:05:11,502 --> 00:05:15,405 going to be accepting her as friendly, but I'll defer to her 79 00:05:15,405 --> 00:05:19,760 to to speak to some of those elements. 80 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:21,478 and then I'll have some some other comments. 81 00:05:21,478 --> 00:05:24,647 but I want to thank councilmember crawford for her 82 00:05:24,647 --> 00:05:27,417 partnership and her leadership on this important issue. 83 00:05:27,417 --> 00:05:30,721 then I'm going to recognize you, councilmember crawford. 84 00:05:30,721 --> 00:05:33,957 thank you, mr. Chairman. And procedurally, I'll also have 85 00:05:33,957 --> 00:05:36,994 an amendment to the ins that councilmember pinto and I worked 86 00:05:36,994 --> 00:05:40,465 on. After I speak to the ans, I have 87 00:05:40,465 --> 00:05:44,668 no idea what you just said. Okay, so I'll start with the 88 00:05:44,668 --> 00:05:48,839 ans. So first I'm moving to an ans to 89 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:52,142 build 26 461. This ans is the result of 90 00:05:52,142 --> 00:05:55,450 spending a significant amount of time listening to residents who 91 00:05:55,450 --> 00:05:58,648 are concerned about safety, to advocates and importantly, the 92 00:05:58,648 --> 00:06:02,486 young people themselves. What we heard was not one sided. 93 00:06:02,486 --> 00:06:05,423 everyone wants to and deserves to feel safe in their community. 94 00:06:05,423 --> 00:06:08,859 but we also have to recognize that feeling safe can be 95 00:06:08,859 --> 00:06:11,228 experienced differently by different members of our 96 00:06:11,228 --> 00:06:13,496 community. Too often, efforts to create 97 00:06:13,496 --> 00:06:16,501 safety for some can unintentionally create harm for 98 00:06:16,501 --> 00:06:19,360 others. This ans reflects an effort to 99 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:21,572 take that feedback seriously and strike a more thoughtful 100 00:06:21,572 --> 00:06:24,875 balance. First, the ans streamlines and 101 00:06:24,875 --> 00:06:27,244 clarifies authority. It consolidates the mayor's and 102 00:06:27,244 --> 00:06:31,715 chief of police powers into a single framework and removes 103 00:06:31,715 --> 00:06:33,985 duplicative processes. It also eliminates eliminates 104 00:06:33,985 --> 00:06:36,486 the ability for business improvement districts and main 105 00:06:36,486 --> 00:06:39,856 street organizations to petition for curfew zones. 106 00:06:39,856 --> 00:06:43,527 as korea notes, expanding that type of authority to individuals 107 00:06:43,527 --> 00:06:48,632 and entities that are not elected risk reinforcing spatial 108 00:06:48,632 --> 00:06:51,435 injustice and neighborhood tensions between youth and their 109 00:06:51,435 --> 00:06:55,400 community leaders, particularly when decisions about who belongs 110 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:58,942 in certain spaces are not made with youth input or broader 111 00:06:58,942 --> 00:07:02,145 community accountability. Second, this ans removes the 112 00:07:02,145 --> 00:07:06,450 ability to impose temporary citywide extended curfew hours 113 00:07:06,450 --> 00:07:10,987 starting as soon as 8 p.m. The intent here is to keep curfew as 114 00:07:10,987 --> 00:07:14,191 a targeted tool. We know from the committee's 115 00:07:14,191 --> 00:07:17,728 committee report and mpd that these curfew zone extensions are 116 00:07:17,728 --> 00:07:22,566 most often used to respond to specific gatherings, like teen 117 00:07:22,566 --> 00:07:25,469 takeovers, where there is credible intelligence about time 118 00:07:25,469 --> 00:07:28,105 and place. If we are at a point where we 119 00:07:28,105 --> 00:07:32,843 need a citywide restriction of that magnitude, that is an 120 00:07:32,843 --> 00:07:35,179 emergency and the mayor already has emergency authorities for 121 00:07:35,179 --> 00:07:38,315 that. This ans makes that distinction 122 00:07:38,315 --> 00:07:41,510 clear. Third, this ans also updates the 123 00:07:41,510 --> 00:07:44,589 language of the statute by replacing the term juvenile with 124 00:07:44,589 --> 00:07:47,124 youth. That is a deliberate shift away 125 00:07:47,124 --> 00:07:50,327 from terminology rooted in the criminal legal system and toward 126 00:07:50,327 --> 00:07:53,798 language that reflects how we should be engaging young people 127 00:07:53,798 --> 00:07:57,267 as members of our community to be supported, not just manage or 128 00:07:57,267 --> 00:07:59,937 penalize. Fourth, it strengthens notice 129 00:07:59,937 --> 00:08:02,874 requirements, but I'll address this more in my subsequent 130 00:08:02,874 --> 00:08:05,275 amendment because we made some changes here. 131 00:08:05,275 --> 00:08:08,278 fifth, it establishes guardrails on enforcement. 132 00:08:08,278 --> 00:08:11,415 we've seen and heard from youth serving community organizations 133 00:08:11,415 --> 00:08:15,318 that increase reliance on police interaction, particularly for 134 00:08:15,318 --> 00:08:18,522 black youth, can exacerbate disparities and erode trust, 135 00:08:18,522 --> 00:08:22,920 even when policies are intended to improve safety. 136 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:25,662 the ans makes clear that young people cannot be stopped or 137 00:08:25,662 --> 00:08:28,598 dispersed simply for being present, for being in small 138 00:08:28,598 --> 00:08:31,502 groups, or for reasons that do not actually constitute a 139 00:08:31,502 --> 00:08:34,604 violation of the curfew or existing law. 140 00:08:34,604 --> 00:08:38,108 one more minute, chairman. Without objection, these are 141 00:08:38,108 --> 00:08:41,712 common sense protections that ensure enforcement is tied to 142 00:08:41,712 --> 00:08:45,916 behavior, not perception. And finally, this ans recognizes 143 00:08:45,916 --> 00:08:48,385 something that the research is very clear about. 144 00:08:48,385 --> 00:08:50,854 enforcement alone does not address the underlying 145 00:08:50,854 --> 00:08:52,523 conditions driving these gatherings. 146 00:08:52,523 --> 00:08:56,193 if we are telling young people where they cannot be, we should 147 00:08:56,193 --> 00:08:58,996 simultaneously be a part of creating spaces where they can 148 00:08:58,996 --> 00:09:01,265 be. So this ans requires youth 149 00:09:01,265 --> 00:09:03,400 programing. When a curfew zone is in effect, 150 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:05,669 but it does so in a practical way. 151 00:09:05,669 --> 00:09:09,600 it does not assume the district must stand up entirely. 152 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:11,341 new programing overnight. The district can work with 153 00:09:11,341 --> 00:09:15,120 community based organizations, and as the mayor noted in her 154 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:18,480 letter, the district already offers a range of late night and 155 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,904 youth focused activities through dpr and community partners. 156 00:09:21,904 --> 00:09:24,407 the af. The ans also ensures that young 157 00:09:24,407 --> 00:09:28,100 people can travel to and from those activities without being 158 00:09:28,100 --> 00:09:31,247 penalized, and that their voices are included in shaping what 159 00:09:31,247 --> 00:09:34,850 those opportunities look like. So at its core, this ans shifts 160 00:09:34,850 --> 00:09:38,200 the approach from one that relies primarily on restriction 161 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:41,900 and enforcement to one that is more targeted, transparent, and 162 00:09:41,900 --> 00:09:44,594 grounded in engagement. It keeps curfew as a tool, but 163 00:09:44,594 --> 00:09:47,630 uses it more precisely and pairs it with the kind of supports 164 00:09:47,630 --> 00:09:49,598 that we know actually make a difference. 165 00:09:49,598 --> 00:09:52,736 and finally, I want to thank rania dinkins, my legislative 166 00:09:52,736 --> 00:09:56,500 director, and lauren mendoza of ogc, for the time and 167 00:09:56,500 --> 00:09:59,241 consideration that they spent on drafting this ans and 168 00:09:59,241 --> 00:10:02,311 councilmember pinto and her team and the executive for working 169 00:10:02,311 --> 00:10:05,140 collaboratively with me on this. So I move this amendment and 170 00:10:05,140 --> 00:10:08,784 urge my colleagues to support. So let me see if I understand 171 00:10:08,784 --> 00:10:10,553 what we're doing here procedurally. 172 00:10:10,553 --> 00:10:13,355 so you circulated an amendment in nature of a substitute 173 00:10:13,355 --> 00:10:13,989 yesterday. Yes. 174 00:10:13,989 --> 00:10:16,425 that's what you're moving. And then you're going to move an 175 00:10:16,425 --> 00:10:17,759 amendment to that? Yes. 176 00:10:17,759 --> 00:10:21,163 and the amendment at 1230? Well, I have two. 177 00:10:21,163 --> 00:10:24,700 I have one at 1230 and one at 129. 178 00:10:24,700 --> 00:10:30,100 this is the 1231. This is to the permanent bill. 179 00:10:31,740 --> 00:10:35,340 okay. Because the 1230 is to the 180 00:10:35,678 --> 00:10:37,479 permanent bill, which is what we have before us. 181 00:10:37,479 --> 00:10:39,479 yes. Okay. 182 00:10:39,481 --> 00:10:43,318 so what we have now before us is the amendment nature of a 183 00:10:43,318 --> 00:10:45,521 substitute. Now, you want me to recognize 184 00:10:45,521 --> 00:10:48,290 you for an amendment to that? Unless. 185 00:10:48,290 --> 00:10:49,725 councilmember pinto. I didn't know if you had 186 00:10:49,725 --> 00:10:51,293 something else that you were adding. 187 00:10:51,293 --> 00:10:53,528 I think we want to get the amendment. 188 00:10:53,528 --> 00:10:54,763 we want to get on the floor. What? 189 00:10:54,763 --> 00:10:57,633 we're going to get on the floor. But you don't get to give a 190 00:10:57,633 --> 00:11:02,538 whole nother four minute speech. I was just going to hit the 191 00:11:02,538 --> 00:11:05,700 points in the notice for the amendment speech. 192 00:11:05,700 --> 00:11:09,207 all right. So so that all members 193 00:11:09,712 --> 00:11:14,383 understand councilmember pinto has moved the committee print. 194 00:11:14,383 --> 00:11:17,619 councilmember crawford has moved an amendment initiative, a 195 00:11:17,619 --> 00:11:19,888 substitute. And I'm now recognizing you to 196 00:11:19,888 --> 00:11:24,460 move an amendment to that. A n s yes. 197 00:11:24,460 --> 00:11:27,829 so this amendment, which I circulated at 12:30 p.m., makes 198 00:11:27,829 --> 00:11:30,499 the following changes in collaboration with councilmember 199 00:11:30,499 --> 00:11:32,968 pinto. It updates the findings section 200 00:11:32,968 --> 00:11:36,238 of the code to include a mention of team takeovers and the rise 201 00:11:36,238 --> 00:11:41,143 in social media use to. To disseminate this information, 202 00:11:41,143 --> 00:11:44,313 it reverts the citywide curfew hours back to what the hours 203 00:11:44,313 --> 00:11:48,550 were prior to the first emergency, which passed in july 204 00:11:48,550 --> 00:11:50,786 20th, 2025. So that is midnight on weekends 205 00:11:50,786 --> 00:11:54,256 and during the summer months. It defines youth to add clarity 206 00:11:54,256 --> 00:11:58,560 to the term extended youth curfew zone, it only requires 207 00:11:58,560 --> 00:12:03,132 the new components of the zone notice, including a plain, plain 208 00:12:03,132 --> 00:12:06,534 language description of lawful activities and details about 209 00:12:06,534 --> 00:12:11,600 alternative youth events to be posted online instead of on the 210 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:13,876 physical signs. It allows the police to issue 211 00:12:13,876 --> 00:12:17,147 verbal warnings. No sooner than 30 minutes before 212 00:12:17,147 --> 00:12:21,830 the start of curfew, and then it requires the chief of police to 213 00:12:21,830 --> 00:12:24,683 consider several statistics concerning youth, specifically 214 00:12:25,287 --> 00:12:28,490 before determining whether to designate an extended youth 215 00:12:28,490 --> 00:12:32,528 curfew zone, aligning with the most recently passed language in 216 00:12:32,528 --> 00:12:37,328 b 26 460. So that is what is before us. 217 00:12:39,680 --> 00:12:41,468 I'll recognize councilmember pinto. 218 00:12:46,975 --> 00:12:50,311 I will just say, you know, thank you again to councilor crawford 219 00:12:50,311 --> 00:12:54,650 for working so closely with us on this and to ensure that this 220 00:12:54,650 --> 00:12:56,852 language adopts the intention that you were trying to do, and 221 00:12:56,852 --> 00:13:01,991 also ensures that it is workable for mpd and for the community. 222 00:13:01,991 --> 00:13:06,529 and so I will be accepting both the a n's and the amendments to 223 00:13:06,529 --> 00:13:10,699 the a n's as friendly to the underlying permanent. 224 00:13:10,699 --> 00:13:13,202 okay. Now the only way something is 225 00:13:13,202 --> 00:13:16,500 friendly is if there's no objection, I can ask if there's 226 00:13:16,500 --> 00:13:19,809 any objection. Is there any objection to the 227 00:13:19,809 --> 00:13:24,900 amendment to the a n's hearing? None. 228 00:13:24,847 --> 00:13:27,716 it is accepted. Now, that's what was circulated 229 00:13:27,716 --> 00:13:31,587 at 1230 by email today at 12:30 p.m. 230 00:13:31,587 --> 00:13:32,921 that's accepted. Without objection. 231 00:13:32,921 --> 00:13:37,920 we have the a n's as amended before us. 232 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,463 is there a discussion on that? Similarly, I'm accepting the a 233 00:13:41,463 --> 00:13:45,630 n's as friendly. I can ask. 234 00:13:47,503 --> 00:13:48,237 objection. Yes. 235 00:13:48,237 --> 00:13:53,109 council member tran yeah I have a question in regards to the 236 00:13:53,109 --> 00:13:56,109 amendment you sent. I guess. 237 00:13:59,381 --> 00:14:02,981 129. That is to the emergency which 238 00:14:03,319 --> 00:14:06,319 is not before us. Okay. 239 00:14:06,555 --> 00:14:08,257 it's confusing on which what what are we. 240 00:14:08,257 --> 00:14:10,225 which one are you talking about? What time frame? 241 00:14:10,225 --> 00:14:12,225 1230. 1230. 242 00:14:12,695 --> 00:14:14,998 wait, because that's the question I have is about the 243 00:14:14,998 --> 00:14:16,598 next one. So. 244 00:14:16,598 --> 00:14:20,803 so my question is, is there any objection to the amendment 245 00:14:20,803 --> 00:14:24,403 nature of a substitute, as amended? 246 00:14:25,808 --> 00:14:32,748 hearing none, that is accepted. So now we have the print as 247 00:14:32,748 --> 00:14:35,148 amended. Is there discussion? 248 00:14:35,984 --> 00:14:39,822 and sorry, to make matters more complicated, I have one oral 249 00:14:39,822 --> 00:14:40,656 amendment. Oh. 250 00:14:40,656 --> 00:14:45,456 not yet. Oh never mind, that's on the 251 00:14:45,627 --> 00:14:49,827 emergency. We have the amendment in the 252 00:14:51,568 --> 00:14:56,368 nature of a substitute, as amended before us. 253 00:14:56,772 --> 00:15:01,677 no, we have the bill as amended before us. 254 00:15:01,677 --> 00:15:04,180 the bill as amended before us. Councilmember allen, do you want 255 00:15:04,180 --> 00:15:08,380 to be recognized? I do, thank you. 256 00:15:08,784 --> 00:15:12,221 I want to thank councilmember crawford for the work to put 257 00:15:12,221 --> 00:15:14,524 this in and to put it as together. 258 00:15:14,524 --> 00:15:15,992 I'll be very frank. This is what should have come 259 00:15:15,992 --> 00:15:18,827 out of the judiciary committee to begin with. 260 00:15:18,827 --> 00:15:22,427 the committee would allow curfews citywide. 261 00:15:22,431 --> 00:15:27,369 it would give an unaccountable organizations the ability to 262 00:15:27,369 --> 00:15:31,487 request curfews, no requirement for alternative programing. 263 00:15:31,487 --> 00:15:35,824 I've said consistently that a narrow, precise and time limited 264 00:15:35,824 --> 00:15:39,228 curfew can be a tool, but it simply cannot be the only tool 265 00:15:39,228 --> 00:15:43,632 that our city has or uses. Part of the reason that we are 266 00:15:43,632 --> 00:15:46,570 here is the result of a lack of investment in the very teens 267 00:15:46,570 --> 00:15:49,905 that we are, that are the subject of this conversation. 268 00:15:49,905 --> 00:15:54,343 so what scenario of allowing citywide policies saying that 269 00:15:54,343 --> 00:15:57,446 they cannot gather in public space makes sense. 270 00:15:57,446 --> 00:16:00,315 it's that kind of overly broad provision that would not allow 271 00:16:00,315 --> 00:16:03,352 me to vote for the committee print without councilmember 272 00:16:03,352 --> 00:16:05,921 crawford's important and substantial changes. 273 00:16:05,921 --> 00:16:09,692 when pushed, we have seen dpr put together meaningful and 274 00:16:09,692 --> 00:16:12,794 positive experiences. I can note that around greenleaf 275 00:16:12,794 --> 00:16:16,165 rec center and randall rec center, the activities taking 276 00:16:16,165 --> 00:16:18,801 place inside were largely very positive, and I think there's a 277 00:16:18,801 --> 00:16:21,336 lot of lessons learned about what happened when the events 278 00:16:21,336 --> 00:16:23,638 ended, and a lot of lessons learned that dpr can continue to 279 00:16:23,638 --> 00:16:26,408 work on. But unquestionably, I heard 280 00:16:26,408 --> 00:16:29,244 positive feedback from young people who were at the events 281 00:16:29,244 --> 00:16:34,644 and inside. We also can't limit this just to 282 00:16:36,170 --> 00:16:38,787 dpr. We know that we have incredible 283 00:16:38,787 --> 00:16:41,457 community organizations that can partner and I think councilor 284 00:16:41,457 --> 00:16:43,857 crawford's legislation does that. 285 00:16:44,260 --> 00:16:48,297 I have to note, though, this is the same system, the same dpr 286 00:16:48,297 --> 00:16:51,700 that closes most of its rec centers at the exact hours that 287 00:16:51,700 --> 00:16:55,204 we are concerned about. So the city has been lacking 288 00:16:55,204 --> 00:16:58,240 with imagination and creativity to reach the very people it's 289 00:16:58,240 --> 00:17:01,410 concerned about. I think councilmember crawford's 290 00:17:01,410 --> 00:17:03,912 amendment changes. This requires the city to 291 00:17:03,912 --> 00:17:06,648 provide and promote alternatives whenever they want to be able to 292 00:17:06,648 --> 00:17:09,840 use this tool. And again, I'm grateful for the 293 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:11,786 work that councilmember crawford and her team did to put this in 294 00:17:11,786 --> 00:17:14,623 and put it before us today. Thank you. 295 00:17:14,623 --> 00:17:17,230 thank you, councilmember henderson. 296 00:17:17,126 --> 00:17:20,610 thank you, mr. Chairman. Let me just say at the top that 297 00:17:20,610 --> 00:17:22,398 I'll be supporting this measure today. 298 00:17:22,398 --> 00:17:27,269 as former mayor marion barry said in 1995, when he first 299 00:17:27,269 --> 00:17:29,738 signed this original curfew legislation into law, that this 300 00:17:29,738 --> 00:17:33,976 is a tool, one that I think has been useful. 301 00:17:33,976 --> 00:17:36,545 one of the interesting things about american life is that 302 00:17:36,545 --> 00:17:39,281 there's some collective things that have happened in all of our 303 00:17:39,281 --> 00:17:42,485 upbringings, regardless of where we grew up, but mainly for those 304 00:17:42,485 --> 00:17:46,455 of us who were raised in cities, one of those was the parental 305 00:17:46,455 --> 00:17:49,892 and community expectation that when the street lights came on, 306 00:17:49,892 --> 00:17:52,861 kids needed to be headed towards the house. 307 00:17:52,861 --> 00:17:57,298 but somewhere along the way, in 2026, that has become a bit 308 00:17:57,298 --> 00:18:00,360 controversial. And I know that growing up today 309 00:18:00,360 --> 00:18:03,380 is different than growing up, as many of us did in the 90s and 310 00:18:03,380 --> 00:18:05,174 early 2000. But some of those dangers still 311 00:18:05,174 --> 00:18:07,977 exist in dc you all had gogos in new york city. 312 00:18:07,977 --> 00:18:10,447 there were skating rinks in columbus, georgia, where I went 313 00:18:10,447 --> 00:18:12,748 to high school. There was the mall and all of 314 00:18:12,748 --> 00:18:14,249 these scenarios, all of these businesses closed. 315 00:18:14,249 --> 00:18:17,520 at a certain point, there were no more movies to be played, no 316 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:18,455 more starbucks coffees that you can buy. 317 00:18:18,455 --> 00:18:21,724 and even if you were at someone's house, eventually, 318 00:18:21,724 --> 00:18:23,859 carl's mom didn't want us in her den anymore because she was 319 00:18:23,859 --> 00:18:28,297 trying to go to bed. At some point, the activities 320 00:18:28,297 --> 00:18:32,801 ended and folks had to go home. Now, a curfew cannot be the only 321 00:18:32,801 --> 00:18:35,300 thing. And that's why I sent a letter 322 00:18:35,300 --> 00:18:38,700 to the mayor's office back in march asking for the district's 323 00:18:38,700 --> 00:18:41,610 plans to engage the district's youth this summer and spring, 324 00:18:41,610 --> 00:18:44,313 especially given so many other events that will be going on. 325 00:18:44,313 --> 00:18:48,485 they responded a few weeks ago, dpr did roll out a very 326 00:18:48,485 --> 00:18:51,253 successful and engaging teen spring jam and programing. 327 00:18:51,253 --> 00:18:55,570 during spring break, I followed up with dpr about how things 328 00:18:55,570 --> 00:18:58,293 went, what it took to pull that off from a resources standpoint, 329 00:18:58,293 --> 00:19:01,330 because while it may seem seamless, it actually required 330 00:19:01,330 --> 00:19:05,768 lots of staff manpower and also questions around what this looks 331 00:19:05,768 --> 00:19:08,104 like from a sustainability standpoint so that we could 332 00:19:08,104 --> 00:19:10,172 continue to plan for some of these in the future. 333 00:19:10,172 --> 00:19:13,142 I've also started a conversation with some of our bid leaders 334 00:19:13,142 --> 00:19:15,844 about how they can adapt some of their spring and summer 335 00:19:15,844 --> 00:19:19,448 programing to offer something geared toward teens and their 336 00:19:19,448 --> 00:19:21,250 general lineup. They were open to those 337 00:19:21,250 --> 00:19:23,385 conversations, and we have a follow up meeting with some 338 00:19:23,385 --> 00:19:26,187 youth serving organizations to further brainstorm in coming 339 00:19:26,187 --> 00:19:28,257 weeks. The expanded curfew legislation 340 00:19:28,257 --> 00:19:29,858 that we're voting on today is not a panacea. 341 00:19:29,858 --> 00:19:33,162 it is a tool. It is a tool that mpd has not 342 00:19:33,162 --> 00:19:35,664 employed every day. They have not employed every 343 00:19:35,664 --> 00:19:37,866 weekend. And I will certainly admit that 344 00:19:37,866 --> 00:19:41,704 the coordination between dpr and pd and metro transit pd, when 345 00:19:41,704 --> 00:19:45,507 these sponsored events in need to be refined, but also we need 346 00:19:45,507 --> 00:19:48,811 to continue working with parents and community members as well. 347 00:19:48,811 --> 00:19:51,880 in terms of what are our expectations around young people 348 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:55,160 when they're in public spaces and what happens in the evening 349 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:56,285 times. But there are events going on 350 00:19:56,285 --> 00:19:58,754 all the time, even this weekend on kingman island, there's going 351 00:19:58,754 --> 00:20:01,956 to be a teen band summit, featuring eight bands from 352 00:20:01,956 --> 00:20:04,193 teens. Suggest these spaces to your 353 00:20:04,193 --> 00:20:06,429 young people in your life separately. 354 00:20:06,429 --> 00:20:10,232 I do want to call on dc public schools this summer to work with 355 00:20:10,232 --> 00:20:13,369 high school student government organizations to work through 356 00:20:13,369 --> 00:20:17,573 some of the issues such that safe third spaces like football 357 00:20:17,573 --> 00:20:21,343 games and basketball games are not closed off as options next 358 00:20:21,343 --> 00:20:23,646 school year. Because I feel like that has led 359 00:20:23,646 --> 00:20:27,716 to where we are today. And with that, I will stop and 360 00:20:27,716 --> 00:20:29,952 say, I hope that we can move this forward today. 361 00:20:29,952 --> 00:20:32,210 thank you. Thank you. 362 00:20:32,210 --> 00:20:34,421 councilmember henderson. Councilmember felder. 363 00:20:35,257 --> 00:20:38,494 thank you, mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, everyone. 364 00:20:38,494 --> 00:20:41,697 first and foremost, I would like to take a moment to thank 365 00:20:41,697 --> 00:20:44,867 council members pinto and crawford for their leadership on 366 00:20:44,867 --> 00:20:48,269 this matter. It's also important to reflect 367 00:20:48,269 --> 00:20:52,908 on how we got here as a city. Last summer, the council voted 368 00:20:52,908 --> 00:20:57,513 to implement the juvenile curfew emergency amendment act of 2025. 369 00:20:57,513 --> 00:21:01,884 we did so because there was a clear need for intervention in 370 00:21:01,884 --> 00:21:05,954 order to mitigate the rise in levels of violence and vandalism 371 00:21:05,954 --> 00:21:08,230 that we were seeing from youth in the district. 372 00:21:08,230 --> 00:21:11,960 now, as a native washingtonian, I remember what it was like 373 00:21:11,960 --> 00:21:15,363 being a teenager in our city. And here's what I know to be 374 00:21:15,363 --> 00:21:18,567 true. Teenagers want to have fun. 375 00:21:18,567 --> 00:21:22,370 teenagers want to spend time with their families and friends. 376 00:21:22,370 --> 00:21:25,340 teenagers want to keep a little bit of money in their pockets, 377 00:21:25,340 --> 00:21:29,111 and teenagers want to explore new places across our city. 378 00:21:29,111 --> 00:21:33,115 we also took advantage of the city's kids ride free program, 379 00:21:33,115 --> 00:21:36,251 the summer youth employment program, and activities 380 00:21:36,251 --> 00:21:39,466 happening in our local neighborhoods and recreation 381 00:21:39,466 --> 00:21:41,267 centers. Many of those same programs 382 00:21:41,267 --> 00:21:44,304 still exist today, and some have expanded. 383 00:21:44,304 --> 00:21:47,408 now, in addition to the troubling videos of youth 384 00:21:47,408 --> 00:21:52,212 captured at navy yard, which let me be clear, those videos are 385 00:21:52,212 --> 00:21:55,182 not a reflection of all of our youth. 386 00:21:55,182 --> 00:21:58,786 there are also videos of law enforcement interactions with 387 00:21:58,786 --> 00:22:02,623 youth that are extremely concerning and should be 388 00:22:02,623 --> 00:22:06,294 investigated, which is why I support this bill today because 389 00:22:06,294 --> 00:22:10,197 it makes no sense for us to put any of our youth in harm's way. 390 00:22:10,197 --> 00:22:14,735 now, here's the reality. This bill is not a tool, but 391 00:22:14,735 --> 00:22:17,237 it's not. Or rather, this bill is a tool, 392 00:22:17,237 --> 00:22:20,975 but it's not the only tool. If we all can agree that there 393 00:22:20,975 --> 00:22:25,380 needs to be a holistic approach when creating more constructive 394 00:22:25,380 --> 00:22:28,916 ways for our youth to gather in a positive and productive 395 00:22:28,916 --> 00:22:32,586 manner, we also can agree that the government cannot substitute 396 00:22:32,586 --> 00:22:35,550 in the role of being a parent, and that at some point, there 397 00:22:35,550 --> 00:22:39,259 needs to be a broader discussion about what parental 398 00:22:39,259 --> 00:22:41,595 accountability looks like in the district of columbia. 399 00:22:41,595 --> 00:22:45,165 as city leaders, we have a responsibility to protect our 400 00:22:45,165 --> 00:22:49,690 residents of all ages, and that includes making the best 401 00:22:49,690 --> 00:22:51,605 informed decisions on behalf of our young folks. 402 00:22:51,605 --> 00:22:55,709 while I'm in favor of extending the juvenile curfew, I also look 403 00:22:55,709 --> 00:22:58,846 forward to working with my council colleagues and community 404 00:22:58,846 --> 00:23:02,449 members to develop a holistic approach that includes 405 00:23:02,449 --> 00:23:06,200 programing and activities that that allow our youth to 406 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:08,289 congregate and safe and productive environments. 407 00:23:08,289 --> 00:23:11,825 and I too look look forward to my colleagues supporting this 408 00:23:11,825 --> 00:23:15,229 bill as well. Thank you, mr. Chairman. 409 00:23:15,229 --> 00:23:17,331 thank you. Councilmember felder. 410 00:23:17,331 --> 00:23:20,668 councilmember robert white. Thank you, chairman. 411 00:23:20,668 --> 00:23:24,471 I want to thank councilmember pinto and councilmember crawford 412 00:23:24,471 --> 00:23:29,443 for working on an amendment while while the amendment in the 413 00:23:29,443 --> 00:23:34,314 nature of a substitute does improve the legislation, it 414 00:23:34,314 --> 00:23:37,251 still doesn't address a fundamental fact, which is that 415 00:23:37,251 --> 00:23:40,851 the curfews are not working right. 416 00:23:41,188 --> 00:23:44,458 so people want to be able to go out, go out to dinner, feel 417 00:23:44,458 --> 00:23:47,458 safe. We all deserve that. 418 00:23:47,895 --> 00:23:51,465 but as my colleague said, we started these curfews last 419 00:23:51,465 --> 00:23:53,167 summer for the better part of a year. 420 00:23:53,167 --> 00:23:56,603 we've had the curfews and the things that we're pointing to 421 00:23:56,603 --> 00:23:57,771 saying, these are the reasons we need. 422 00:23:57,771 --> 00:24:00,675 the curfews are things that have happened while we've had 423 00:24:00,675 --> 00:24:03,143 curfews. If it's not working, why would 424 00:24:03,143 --> 00:24:05,913 we keep doing this? But to make it worse? 425 00:24:05,913 --> 00:24:08,582 and this is why the strategy matters, right? 426 00:24:08,582 --> 00:24:13,530 the proposed budget that we got last week cuts over $6 million 427 00:24:13,530 --> 00:24:15,456 from the department of behavioral health, including 428 00:24:15,456 --> 00:24:19,360 school based behavioral health. Is this going to make it better 429 00:24:19,360 --> 00:24:21,829 or worse? It's going to get worse. 430 00:24:21,829 --> 00:24:25,233 the budget the proposed budget cuts $35 million from the 431 00:24:25,233 --> 00:24:28,769 department of human services, including for family support 432 00:24:28,769 --> 00:24:32,720 services. This is going to make it worse. 433 00:24:32,720 --> 00:24:35,909 the proposed budget we received last week cuts over $5 million 434 00:24:35,909 --> 00:24:38,612 from the department of parks and rec, which we're saying is going 435 00:24:38,612 --> 00:24:42,649 to come save the day. This makes the issue worse. 436 00:24:42,649 --> 00:24:46,519 but on the other side of the ledger it adds $90 million for 437 00:24:46,519 --> 00:24:49,990 mpd. How is it that we always have 438 00:24:49,990 --> 00:24:53,327 the money to incarcerate and handcuff, but we don't have the 439 00:24:53,327 --> 00:24:56,630 money to prevent? The reason I'm voting no is 440 00:24:56,630 --> 00:25:00,400 because I'm not going to be part of a system that always says, we 441 00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:04,171 have the resources for consequences, but not the 442 00:25:04,171 --> 00:25:07,641 resources for prevention. We can't keep going in this 443 00:25:07,641 --> 00:25:11,412 circle and expect anything other than what we have. 444 00:25:11,412 --> 00:25:15,150 and not only will it get worse, the cost will go up. 445 00:25:15,150 --> 00:25:17,918 when we don't invest in these spaces. 446 00:25:17,918 --> 00:25:21,354 dpr mental health, family services parenting doesn't get 447 00:25:21,354 --> 00:25:22,890 better. Outcomes don't get better, they 448 00:25:22,890 --> 00:25:24,358 get worse. And then they're going to say, 449 00:25:24,358 --> 00:25:26,894 you know what we need? We need more police. 450 00:25:26,894 --> 00:25:31,432 it is insanity. So I understand the political 451 00:25:31,432 --> 00:25:34,834 pressure to not be seen as soft on crime, but at some point we 452 00:25:34,834 --> 00:25:38,939 have at least got to be logical. This is not logical. 453 00:25:38,939 --> 00:25:42,576 and we cannot forget that these young people are seeing this 454 00:25:42,576 --> 00:25:44,577 conversation. They're seeing us pointing 455 00:25:44,577 --> 00:25:46,747 fingers at them saying, look, these young people, what they're 456 00:25:46,747 --> 00:25:49,583 doing, the vast majority of them are not involved with them, but 457 00:25:49,583 --> 00:25:52,190 they're getting the same finger pointed at them. 458 00:25:52,190 --> 00:25:54,455 they're using the same resources, and they're seeing 459 00:25:54,455 --> 00:25:57,324 the resources go to consequences. 460 00:25:57,324 --> 00:25:59,460 this cannot be the way that we operate. 461 00:25:59,460 --> 00:26:01,495 this cannot be the way that we govern. 462 00:26:01,495 --> 00:26:07,334 so while I do want to see an end to the bad behavior that happens 463 00:26:07,334 --> 00:26:10,838 in these groups, I've got to recognize that this is not a 464 00:26:10,838 --> 00:26:14,275 path to a better outcome. It is a reinvestment in the 465 00:26:14,275 --> 00:26:17,544 outcome that has gotten us here. And I don't be a part of it, so 466 00:26:17,544 --> 00:26:18,946 I can't vote for it. Thank you. 467 00:26:18,946 --> 00:26:20,946 chairman. Thank you. 468 00:26:22,816 --> 00:26:25,216 councilmember white councilmember nadeau. 469 00:26:28,956 --> 00:26:32,590 I know. You know, I'm looking for who 470 00:26:32,590 --> 00:26:33,828 else wants to be recognized. Councilmember. 471 00:26:33,828 --> 00:26:36,828 nadeau. You have the floor. 472 00:26:39,566 --> 00:26:42,566 we can't hear him. Councilmember. 473 00:26:43,504 --> 00:26:46,504 nadeau. Hold on a second. 474 00:26:51,178 --> 00:26:54,314 ask her to check her. Can you check your mic? 475 00:26:54,314 --> 00:26:56,317 councilmember. Nadeau because we can't hear 476 00:26:56,317 --> 00:26:58,717 you. You're not muted. 477 00:27:02,890 --> 00:27:04,489 say something. I'm talking. 478 00:27:05,125 --> 00:27:06,360 can you hear me? Oh, yes. 479 00:27:06,360 --> 00:27:08,760 it's beautiful. Oh, wonderful. 480 00:27:10,197 --> 00:27:11,999 I'll take it. Maybe I should quit while I'm 481 00:27:11,999 --> 00:27:12,399 ahead. No. 482 00:27:12,399 --> 00:27:14,340 just kidding. Okay. 483 00:27:14,340 --> 00:27:16,470 thank you chairman. Other colleagues today have 484 00:27:16,470 --> 00:27:20,907 explained how this policy is not effective, harms our kids, and 485 00:27:20,907 --> 00:27:22,343 disproportionately impacts black and brown children. 486 00:27:22,343 --> 00:27:26,613 so I'm not going to repeat that. We need to be serious about 487 00:27:26,613 --> 00:27:30,500 safety and not play politics with our communities and kids. 488 00:27:30,500 --> 00:27:34,688 as a mom of two kids and one who has significant resources, even 489 00:27:34,688 --> 00:27:36,857 I struggle with parenting sometimes. 490 00:27:36,857 --> 00:27:40,270 but one thing I've learned, especially as my kids get older, 491 00:27:40,270 --> 00:27:43,163 is that kids need to be treated with respect, they need to be 492 00:27:43,163 --> 00:27:45,765 heard, and more than anything, they need the adults responsible 493 00:27:45,765 --> 00:27:48,379 for them. And I consider that all of us to 494 00:27:48,379 --> 00:27:50,680 be there for them when they're struggling and to help them make 495 00:27:50,680 --> 00:27:53,917 good choices for themselves and for those around them. 496 00:27:53,917 --> 00:27:56,286 this bill doesn't do that, in my opinion. 497 00:27:56,286 --> 00:27:58,822 instead, it doles out punishment and makes things worse. 498 00:27:58,822 --> 00:28:01,324 maybe not immediately, because I know a lot of people think that 499 00:28:01,324 --> 00:28:03,993 we have to be tough and that we get results that way, but 500 00:28:03,993 --> 00:28:06,229 there's just way too much evidence about the long term 501 00:28:06,229 --> 00:28:07,865 negative impacts on kids in our communities. 502 00:28:07,865 --> 00:28:09,799 with these types of policies, for me to ignore it. 503 00:28:09,799 --> 00:28:12,468 and this may be my last year on the council, but that makes it 504 00:28:12,468 --> 00:28:14,871 all the more important to me that I do not contribute to 505 00:28:14,871 --> 00:28:18,608 taking our city down the wrong path when it comes to our youth. 506 00:28:18,608 --> 00:28:21,345 in 2016, I introduced the legislation that established the 507 00:28:21,345 --> 00:28:24,581 current out of school time office that offers kids after 508 00:28:24,581 --> 00:28:28,180 school and summer programs, and later I introduced legislation 509 00:28:28,180 --> 00:28:30,286 that would have expanded out of school time programing to all 510 00:28:30,286 --> 00:28:32,556 d.c. Public schools and charter school students, with an 511 00:28:32,556 --> 00:28:35,892 emphasis on access for youth who are at risk, low income and 512 00:28:35,892 --> 00:28:38,963 criminal justice involved. I supported creation, expansion 513 00:28:38,963 --> 00:28:41,598 of violence interruption programs in my ward and district 514 00:28:41,598 --> 00:28:43,800 wide, finding money in the budget to make sure those 515 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:47,404 programs continue and expand. We make choices in how we spend 516 00:28:47,404 --> 00:28:50,640 our money. The mayor has also made choices. 517 00:28:50,640 --> 00:28:54,511 the mayor's proposed fy 27 budget cuts, over $6 million 518 00:28:54,511 --> 00:28:57,848 from the department of behavioral services, including 519 00:28:57,848 --> 00:29:00,916 school based behavioral health, $35 million from the department 520 00:29:00,916 --> 00:29:04,386 of human services, including for family support services and $5 521 00:29:04,386 --> 00:29:07,560 million from the department of parks and rec for site based 522 00:29:07,560 --> 00:29:10,656 programing. Her budget adds $6.5 million to 523 00:29:11,127 --> 00:29:13,329 youth rehabilitative services, including for secure detention 524 00:29:13,329 --> 00:29:15,732 of youth. And as council member allen 525 00:29:15,732 --> 00:29:19,269 mentioned, 90 million for mpd. She's now choosing with her 526 00:29:19,269 --> 00:29:22,372 emergency declaration last week to double down on what does not 527 00:29:22,372 --> 00:29:24,674 work youth curfews. Even as she takes away funding 528 00:29:24,674 --> 00:29:28,100 from the programs that we know do work, and this legislation 529 00:29:28,100 --> 00:29:31,214 before us today does the same. For months, we extended the 530 00:29:31,214 --> 00:29:33,416 emergency curfew legislation, and each time we said we needed 531 00:29:33,416 --> 00:29:36,152 to work on a comprehensive plan that includes the programs and 532 00:29:36,152 --> 00:29:38,621 initiatives I listed, and that we need a permanent piece of 533 00:29:38,621 --> 00:29:40,790 legislation that could get a hearing and vetting. 534 00:29:40,790 --> 00:29:43,827 I've said no to the emergency extensions, but have always been 535 00:29:43,827 --> 00:29:45,829 open to a comprehensive solution. 536 00:29:45,829 --> 00:29:48,732 the bill before us today is not it. 537 00:29:48,732 --> 00:29:51,601 I thank my colleagues for attempting some improvements on 538 00:29:51,601 --> 00:29:54,838 this bill by adding programing and checks on the curfews. 539 00:29:54,838 --> 00:29:58,975 it is not enough though. What we have here is a rebranded 540 00:29:58,975 --> 00:30:01,644 version of the tough on crime laws of the past. 541 00:30:01,644 --> 00:30:04,581 a curfews first approach that's ineffective because it fails to 542 00:30:04,581 --> 00:30:07,283 support our youth. I can't in good conscience vote 543 00:30:07,283 --> 00:30:10,121 for something that is tried and proven as bad policy. 544 00:30:10,121 --> 00:30:13,721 thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you. 545 00:30:14,190 --> 00:30:17,190 councilmember nadeau councilmember louis george. 546 00:30:17,494 --> 00:30:19,494 thank you. Chairman. 547 00:30:20,630 --> 00:30:24,200 adding and utilizing this tool. While this city is currently 548 00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:27,700 under federal occupation is dangerous. 549 00:30:27,700 --> 00:30:29,672 it is dangerous for our young people. 550 00:30:29,672 --> 00:30:32,609 it is dangerous for our community as a whole. 551 00:30:32,609 --> 00:30:39,209 and the risk, the risk does not outweigh the perceived benefits. 552 00:30:39,816 --> 00:30:43,190 what we have seen since these expanded juvenile curfews have 553 00:30:43,190 --> 00:30:48,358 gone into effect this weekend. Videos and headlines circulated 554 00:30:48,358 --> 00:30:51,695 showing officer pulling away young women forcefully off a 555 00:30:51,695 --> 00:30:54,764 bike riding pass that was two not in a group of eight. 556 00:30:54,764 --> 00:30:57,567 two young women pulled off their bikes. 557 00:30:57,567 --> 00:31:01,404 we've received reports and videos of officers and armed 558 00:31:01,404 --> 00:31:05,307 guards threatening youth with pepper spray and paint guns, 559 00:31:05,307 --> 00:31:08,845 things we vow to get rid of after the george george floyd 560 00:31:08,845 --> 00:31:11,681 era of protest and actions that were taken. 561 00:31:11,681 --> 00:31:15,618 and yet these things pepper spray and paint guns are being 562 00:31:15,618 --> 00:31:18,655 utilized in this moment to threaten and enforce these 563 00:31:18,655 --> 00:31:21,691 curfews. I've also heard reports of 564 00:31:21,691 --> 00:31:24,427 officers outside of the randall teen center event. 565 00:31:24,427 --> 00:31:28,765 this is from youth saying they were being herded toward the 566 00:31:28,765 --> 00:31:33,203 youth curfew zone in navy yard, where they would be in violation 567 00:31:33,203 --> 00:31:36,340 of the curfew. And we've seen videos of 568 00:31:36,340 --> 00:31:39,642 national guard troops and officers interrogating youth 569 00:31:39,642 --> 00:31:43,613 coming off the metro in southeast as early as 4 p.m. 570 00:31:43,613 --> 00:31:48,510 we've seen it with one officer even taunting a metro rider. 571 00:31:48,510 --> 00:31:54,570 we're going to get you before they even came up the escalator. 572 00:31:54,570 --> 00:31:57,494 this is what our young people are experiencing, and this is 573 00:31:57,494 --> 00:32:01,970 what we are telling them that their government believes is 574 00:32:01,970 --> 00:32:04,434 necessary for them to be safe. And this is what we're telling 575 00:32:04,434 --> 00:32:08,271 them, their their government and their community thinks about 576 00:32:08,271 --> 00:32:11,875 them as young people without fully formed brain cells. 577 00:32:11,875 --> 00:32:14,678 they are the ones who have to be curfew and police. 578 00:32:14,678 --> 00:32:18,348 now, this is a city that has first amendment protests happen 579 00:32:18,348 --> 00:32:21,851 every single day, and our officers are trained at handling 580 00:32:21,851 --> 00:32:25,321 first amendment protests every single day and can plan for it. 581 00:32:25,321 --> 00:32:28,625 so I'm not sure why we can't do the preventative planning like 582 00:32:28,625 --> 00:32:31,610 we do for first amendment protests, without having to put 583 00:32:31,610 --> 00:32:33,930 a curfew in place. That puts our young people at 584 00:32:33,930 --> 00:32:36,399 this risk. This type of coordination 585 00:32:36,399 --> 00:32:40,536 between federal forces and mpd is a threat to young people, but 586 00:32:40,536 --> 00:32:43,106 it is also a threat to home rule. 587 00:32:43,106 --> 00:32:46,909 no other city has national guard troops, federal agents who are 588 00:32:46,909 --> 00:32:51,130 not trained in de-escalation and enforcing curfews for their 589 00:32:51,130 --> 00:32:54,150 youth. We are the capital city and we 590 00:32:54,150 --> 00:32:57,253 are a testing ground. And if we want autonomy, we have 591 00:32:57,253 --> 00:33:00,690 to handle our own enforcement. And until we can do that, we 592 00:33:00,690 --> 00:33:04,293 should not be utilizing a tool that continues to put our young 593 00:33:04,293 --> 00:33:08,498 people at risk and allows us to passively allow for autonomy to 594 00:33:08,498 --> 00:33:12,468 be treaded on in this moment. Now we're being asked to vote on 595 00:33:12,468 --> 00:33:14,904 a permanent version, despite evidence that the expanded 596 00:33:14,904 --> 00:33:18,441 curfews are escalating and not ameliorating the situation. 597 00:33:18,441 --> 00:33:22,311 and it's not surprising because research from juvenile curfew 598 00:33:22,311 --> 00:33:25,447 laws in other jurisdictions, ten more seconds have shown that 599 00:33:25,447 --> 00:33:28,317 curfews did not result in fewer instances of the youth involved. 600 00:33:28,317 --> 00:33:31,554 crime, public disturbances or high risk behaviors. 601 00:33:31,554 --> 00:33:34,791 so we know the things that work, and there are alternatives to 602 00:33:34,791 --> 00:33:36,826 this bill. This is not the right time to 603 00:33:36,826 --> 00:33:39,995 use this tool, and I would urge my colleagues not to support 604 00:33:39,995 --> 00:33:42,231 doing so. Thank you. 605 00:33:42,231 --> 00:33:43,700 thank you. Councilmember. 606 00:33:43,700 --> 00:33:45,702 councilmember. Trayon white, sr. 607 00:33:45,702 --> 00:33:50,272 thank you, chairman. We all know that doing the same 608 00:33:50,272 --> 00:33:53,760 thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome is 609 00:33:53,760 --> 00:33:56,760 insanity. Since 2025, we've practiced this 610 00:33:59,853 --> 00:34:05,692 model of juvenile curfew and it hasn't worked consistently week 611 00:34:05,692 --> 00:34:08,280 after week, month after month. We've seen the youth gathering 612 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:11,280 without real intervention and prevention. 613 00:34:12,366 --> 00:34:17,971 in 2024, during the secure dc omnibus amendment act of 2024, I 614 00:34:17,971 --> 00:34:20,540 offered an amendment that passed the council. 615 00:34:20,540 --> 00:34:24,644 but when we got the budget in 2025, that particular part was 616 00:34:24,644 --> 00:34:29,383 taken out and not funded, and that amendment asked for a real, 617 00:34:29,383 --> 00:34:32,510 comprehensive plan to address public safety in washington, dc, 618 00:34:32,510 --> 00:34:36,123 which we still don't have. We are throwing things to the 619 00:34:36,123 --> 00:34:41,795 wall, hoping that it sticks and hopes that we can create a safe, 620 00:34:41,795 --> 00:34:45,395 lovable, friendly, walkable environment for district 621 00:34:45,699 --> 00:34:48,135 residents. We've heard the quote that when 622 00:34:48,135 --> 00:34:51,238 youth don't feel loved from the village, they will burn it down 623 00:34:51,238 --> 00:34:55,142 to feel its warmth. And we're seeing their actions. 624 00:34:55,142 --> 00:35:00,470 we must meet them where they are, hear their needs, and use 625 00:35:00,470 --> 00:35:02,816 our $22 billion to address their issues. 626 00:35:02,816 --> 00:35:07,616 we have seen consistent divestments in youth, young 627 00:35:08,188 --> 00:35:10,957 adults services all across the district year after year. 628 00:35:10,957 --> 00:35:13,427 they say they want recreation centers. 629 00:35:13,427 --> 00:35:16,960 I consistently put money in ward 8 for recreation centers will 630 00:35:16,960 --> 00:35:18,364 happen. Even this council voted to take 631 00:35:18,364 --> 00:35:22,235 money out of two recreation centers just a month ago, and a 632 00:35:22,235 --> 00:35:25,205 ward that has the most issues and the most youth out of 633 00:35:25,205 --> 00:35:28,509 anywhere in washington dc. We cannot wait until young 634 00:35:28,509 --> 00:35:31,211 people end up in the justice system to decide that we care. 635 00:35:31,211 --> 00:35:36,216 we need real investment in our youth through literacy, 636 00:35:36,216 --> 00:35:39,816 recreation, mentorship, mentorship, interns, access to 637 00:35:40,854 --> 00:35:45,826 careers and spaces where they can grow and be productive. 638 00:35:45,826 --> 00:35:50,260 I admire councilmember crawford's amendments to create 639 00:35:51,980 --> 00:35:54,201 more wraparound services and intentional how policing is 640 00:35:54,201 --> 00:35:57,471 done, but I'm concerned we are not going further enough. 641 00:35:57,471 --> 00:36:00,541 we have more money than we ever had in dc history, yet we're 642 00:36:00,541 --> 00:36:01,874 doing the least than we ever did. 643 00:36:01,874 --> 00:36:04,744 I heard a quote by marion barry. Marion barry believed in 644 00:36:04,744 --> 00:36:08,682 investments on the front end. When we had a $9 billion budget. 645 00:36:08,682 --> 00:36:11,918 today we have a $22 billion budget in less for more. 646 00:36:11,918 --> 00:36:14,489 so I'm going to vote no in support of this bill today and 647 00:36:14,489 --> 00:36:17,290 hopes that we can come back to the table to create a real 648 00:36:17,290 --> 00:36:20,361 solution to address our youth issues, which not just a youth 649 00:36:20,361 --> 00:36:22,230 problem, but also an adult problem, because we are raising 650 00:36:22,230 --> 00:36:24,431 our young people directly and indirectly. 651 00:36:24,431 --> 00:36:28,631 thank you, chairman. Thank you, council member. 652 00:36:29,603 --> 00:36:33,803 further on the. On the bill, councilmember 653 00:36:34,974 --> 00:36:39,446 parker thank you, mr. Chairman. We have all seen the scenes 654 00:36:39,446 --> 00:36:42,716 across the district, large crowds, fights, breaking out, 655 00:36:42,716 --> 00:36:45,318 officers chasing young people through the streets. 656 00:36:45,318 --> 00:36:49,122 and there is no question that the behavior is troubling and 657 00:36:49,122 --> 00:36:55,280 demands a serious response. What I grapple with is the 658 00:36:55,280 --> 00:36:59,320 debate feels overly simplified. It's either yes, give us a 659 00:36:59,320 --> 00:37:02,936 curfew or no, let's do nothing. But I want to be equally clear 660 00:37:02,936 --> 00:37:05,472 about something. Declining to extend the curfew 661 00:37:05,472 --> 00:37:08,275 is not the same as excusing what we are seeing play out in the 662 00:37:08,275 --> 00:37:11,178 streets of the district. We can hold two truths at once. 663 00:37:11,178 --> 00:37:13,647 the behavior is unacceptable, full stop. 664 00:37:13,647 --> 00:37:16,216 and this policy is not the right solution. 665 00:37:16,216 --> 00:37:20,387 as a long term application. Instead, I'm hoping we can 666 00:37:20,387 --> 00:37:24,558 finally assemble a youth agenda that centers on expanding 667 00:37:24,558 --> 00:37:27,228 recreational outlets, job, mental health, and 668 00:37:27,228 --> 00:37:29,430 accountability. I voted for the curfew last year 669 00:37:29,430 --> 00:37:32,532 on an emergency basis to give the government time to implement 670 00:37:32,532 --> 00:37:35,169 a long term, sustainable strategy. 671 00:37:35,169 --> 00:37:38,572 you may remember then chief pamela smith said they needed 672 00:37:38,572 --> 00:37:41,308 more time to implement a long term solution. 673 00:37:41,308 --> 00:37:44,411 a year later, we are back in the same place. 674 00:37:44,411 --> 00:37:48,115 the incidents are continuing and the curfew has not delivered 675 00:37:48,115 --> 00:37:51,184 what we were promised. This tells me their approach is 676 00:37:51,184 --> 00:37:55,922 not working now. I think folks are well, but I 677 00:37:55,922 --> 00:37:58,692 think we ought to be a little bit more creative. 678 00:37:58,692 --> 00:38:01,595 I genuinely worry that more young people are being stopped 679 00:38:01,595 --> 00:38:05,265 and are at risk of being pulled into the justice system, and if 680 00:38:05,265 --> 00:38:08,736 we the only way we can make this policy more effective is to 681 00:38:08,736 --> 00:38:11,604 punish more kids than. We should question whether the 682 00:38:11,604 --> 00:38:13,473 policy is the right one to begin with. 683 00:38:13,473 --> 00:38:17,673 and let me also say this government. 684 00:38:17,744 --> 00:38:21,949 government cannot substitute for parents, families and guardians 685 00:38:21,949 --> 00:38:25,618 have a fundamental responsibility to guide and 686 00:38:25,618 --> 00:38:28,355 supervise their children. I'm going to say that one more 687 00:38:28,355 --> 00:38:32,959 time because it takes a village. Families and guardians have a 688 00:38:32,959 --> 00:38:35,429 fundamental responsibility to guide and supervise their 689 00:38:35,429 --> 00:38:37,364 children. That role cannot be outsourced 690 00:38:37,364 --> 00:38:41,267 to a city wide curfew or to the government. 691 00:38:41,267 --> 00:38:45,472 and so while I do not plan to support a further extension of 692 00:38:45,472 --> 00:38:49,443 the curfew, I do not plan to vote for a permanent application 693 00:38:49,443 --> 00:38:53,180 of the curfew. I am inviting my colleagues, the 694 00:38:53,180 --> 00:38:56,716 mayor's team, for us to all sit down to come up with a youth 695 00:38:56,716 --> 00:38:59,652 centered agenda that will really address the root causes of what 696 00:38:59,652 --> 00:39:02,321 is playing out. And I saw something also, I 697 00:39:02,321 --> 00:39:04,758 think it was in the mayor's letter that, oh, when you say 698 00:39:04,758 --> 00:39:08,280 root causes, that's really code language for doing nothing. 699 00:39:08,280 --> 00:39:11,564 no, actually it's addressing the root causes so that we can have 700 00:39:11,564 --> 00:39:14,100 a real solution that works and takes hold. 701 00:39:14,100 --> 00:39:17,337 if we have applied more and more curfews and we're seeing more 702 00:39:17,337 --> 00:39:20,407 and more young people being detained by cops or running 703 00:39:20,407 --> 00:39:23,610 around on national tv by the national guard, that is not only 704 00:39:23,610 --> 00:39:25,946 an embarrassment to the district, it lets us know this 705 00:39:25,946 --> 00:39:30,483 policy is not working. I digress, I will not support 706 00:39:30,483 --> 00:39:33,190 this, but again, I stand ready to work with my colleagues to 707 00:39:33,190 --> 00:39:36,856 come up with a solution that actually works. 708 00:39:36,856 --> 00:39:38,124 thanks. Thanks. 709 00:39:38,124 --> 00:39:40,524 you okay? Believe me. 710 00:40:00,547 --> 00:40:04,747 further on, the. The force has amended 711 00:40:05,906 --> 00:40:07,474 councilmember frumin. Thank you very much, mr. 712 00:40:07,474 --> 00:40:11,645 chairman. I joined in with many of my 713 00:40:11,645 --> 00:40:15,882 colleagues who are focused on addressing root causes and 714 00:40:15,882 --> 00:40:20,870 investment in our children. I think that is critically 715 00:40:20,870 --> 00:40:22,322 important. I think we're doing better than 716 00:40:22,322 --> 00:40:24,424 we're giving ourselves credit for. 717 00:40:24,424 --> 00:40:28,929 I think that the city has invested significantly. 718 00:40:28,929 --> 00:40:32,598 we can do more, much more. But I don't think we should run 719 00:40:32,598 --> 00:40:36,903 it down as if we've not done anything in this space. 720 00:40:36,903 --> 00:40:42,776 I find this discussion. I feel like there are straw men 721 00:40:42,776 --> 00:40:46,780 that have been set up here about a curfew or not a curfew, and 722 00:40:46,780 --> 00:40:50,584 that the curfew that gets described is something that is 723 00:40:50,584 --> 00:40:54,855 more draconian than the thing that is on the table, honestly. 724 00:40:54,855 --> 00:40:59,526 and this idea that where there are groups of people who have 725 00:40:59,526 --> 00:41:06,126 come together, large groups and have made clear that it's about 726 00:41:06,533 --> 00:41:09,703 behaviors that are going to be negative, the idea that we 727 00:41:09,703 --> 00:41:12,272 wouldn't step in and say, no, you can't do that. 728 00:41:12,272 --> 00:41:15,809 you got to go someplace else. You can't be in that kind of a 729 00:41:15,809 --> 00:41:18,209 grouping. I think it. 730 00:41:18,945 --> 00:41:24,819 I don't understand why we would not empower ourselves to do 731 00:41:24,819 --> 00:41:28,419 that. I am struck by what 732 00:41:29,690 --> 00:41:32,926 councilmember crawford has come up with in terms of the 733 00:41:32,926 --> 00:41:37,931 refinements to this bill, and I think so impressive that three 734 00:41:37,931 --> 00:41:41,568 months in that you played this kind of a leadership role on 735 00:41:41,568 --> 00:41:43,503 this. I think the bill that we're 736 00:41:43,503 --> 00:41:48,709 going to vote on is much, much better than what we have seen 737 00:41:48,709 --> 00:41:54,114 before and goes to those radioactive spots and tries to 738 00:41:54,114 --> 00:41:57,183 get at it and improve it. And I think that that's 739 00:41:57,183 --> 00:42:01,888 important. But we also can't just sit on 740 00:42:01,888 --> 00:42:06,125 our hands when we have these kinds of gatherings that go 741 00:42:06,125 --> 00:42:11,131 south in the way that they have. And I also think while there 742 00:42:11,131 --> 00:42:14,268 have been bad episodes and I am deeply troubled by the things 743 00:42:14,268 --> 00:42:20,740 that we saw in the recent episodes, it's not the same as 744 00:42:20,740 --> 00:42:25,679 it was before the curfew. I mean, when the curfews got put 745 00:42:25,679 --> 00:42:29,983 in place, the behaviors went down and there weren't arrests. 746 00:42:29,983 --> 00:42:32,986 I don't think we should pretend that that is not the case. 747 00:42:32,986 --> 00:42:37,240 when the curfew went away briefly, there was concern about 748 00:42:37,240 --> 00:42:41,595 it flaring up. But it isn't that this has 749 00:42:41,595 --> 00:42:45,700 absolutely not worked. This has frankly worked pretty 750 00:42:45,700 --> 00:42:48,235 well. And to the extent that we keep 751 00:42:48,235 --> 00:42:53,640 it surgical in the way that council member crawford has, has 752 00:42:53,640 --> 00:42:57,477 moved this bill, it can be a positive tool. 753 00:42:57,477 --> 00:43:01,715 but going back to where I started, we can't for a minute 754 00:43:01,715 --> 00:43:03,750 think this is the end of what we do. 755 00:43:03,750 --> 00:43:08,689 we need to be lifting up these kids, but we also need to be 756 00:43:08,689 --> 00:43:10,792 protecting our communities and our kids. 757 00:43:10,792 --> 00:43:14,992 so I will be supporting this bill. 758 00:43:47,293 --> 00:43:50,463 further, further on the bill, as amended. 759 00:43:50,463 --> 00:43:54,630 sure. To my community does midnight 760 00:43:54,366 --> 00:43:57,966 basketball. Let me just say that. 761 00:43:59,305 --> 00:44:03,505 I urge colleagues to vote for this. 762 00:44:03,777 --> 00:44:07,714 I would note that over the last number of months, there have 763 00:44:07,714 --> 00:44:13,190 been some members who have expressed concerns about the 764 00:44:13,190 --> 00:44:17,991 curfew language and the committee in its markup made 765 00:44:17,991 --> 00:44:22,628 some changes. And then today we have accepted 766 00:44:22,628 --> 00:44:26,566 unanimously further changes so that the bill that's before us 767 00:44:26,566 --> 00:44:30,766 does reflect concerns that members have articulated. 768 00:44:31,905 --> 00:44:35,742 I think it's fair to say that the bill that is before us, as 769 00:44:35,742 --> 00:44:41,142 amended, is an improvement and has addressed done everything 770 00:44:43,950 --> 00:44:47,854 that we can think of to address concerns that have been raised 771 00:44:47,854 --> 00:44:53,760 by individual members. I want to note as well that many 772 00:44:53,760 --> 00:44:57,731 years ago, I chaired our committee on the judiciary, and 773 00:44:57,731 --> 00:45:04,331 one of the concerns I had was juvenile violence, because when 774 00:45:05,405 --> 00:45:09,509 juveniles are committing criminal acts, I think that's 775 00:45:09,509 --> 00:45:13,880 actually sort of more terrifying to residents than adults. 776 00:45:13,880 --> 00:45:19,953 that may not make sense, but I think it is more terrifying. 777 00:45:19,953 --> 00:45:24,124 and the issues that we dealt with, the issues that I dealt 778 00:45:24,124 --> 00:45:27,193 with were very different than what we're dealing with right 779 00:45:27,193 --> 00:45:29,620 now. Now, I'm not saying there aren't 780 00:45:29,620 --> 00:45:35,468 the same kinds of criminal acts by some juveniles that there 781 00:45:35,468 --> 00:45:39,872 aren't today, what there were before, but we're dealing with a 782 00:45:39,872 --> 00:45:43,610 phenomenon that didn't exist ten years ago or 15 years ago, and 783 00:45:43,610 --> 00:45:47,680 that's these large gatherings that seem to be fueled by social 784 00:45:47,680 --> 00:45:51,510 media. And we're struggling as other 785 00:45:51,510 --> 00:45:56,690 cities are struggling with. How do you address these large 786 00:45:56,690 --> 00:46:00,161 assemblies, assemblies, two kind of word gathering is two kind of 787 00:46:00,161 --> 00:46:03,296 word, two kind of a word. How do we address? 788 00:46:03,296 --> 00:46:04,931 yes, I'm hearing in my ear takeover. 789 00:46:04,931 --> 00:46:08,531 how do we address these takeovers? 790 00:46:08,568 --> 00:46:14,856 and I get it that we do not want to be criminalizing juvenile 791 00:46:14,856 --> 00:46:18,527 behavior, but we have to address these gaps, these large 792 00:46:18,527 --> 00:46:21,930 takeovers. And that's what this legislation 793 00:46:21,930 --> 00:46:25,533 is about, is addressing something that hasn't happened 794 00:46:25,533 --> 00:46:31,338 in the past, something that is very, very present and that 795 00:46:31,338 --> 00:46:34,343 we're seeing other jurisdictions struggling with. 796 00:46:34,343 --> 00:46:39,247 I'm thinking of national harbor last year, which I believe is 797 00:46:39,247 --> 00:46:42,183 private property and therefore was able to do what we can't do, 798 00:46:42,183 --> 00:46:47,689 which is to just simply ban. Individuals from the property. 799 00:46:47,689 --> 00:46:51,427 and we can't do that. So this is our own attempt. 800 00:46:51,427 --> 00:46:56,564 and as I said, what is before us now is different, maybe very 801 00:46:56,564 --> 00:47:00,602 different than what was before us when we first debated this 802 00:47:00,602 --> 00:47:07,942 last summer on a vote that I think was at the time, 8 to 4, 803 00:47:07,942 --> 00:47:10,246 maybe 9 to 4. No, because there were only 12 804 00:47:10,246 --> 00:47:14,282 members. And so I would urge that members 805 00:47:14,282 --> 00:47:17,850 support this bill, as amended. That's before us. 806 00:47:17,850 --> 00:47:21,285 if there's no further discussion, roll call. 807 00:47:23,124 --> 00:47:26,428 the secretary will call the roll. 808 00:47:26,428 --> 00:47:33,435 the vote is on this. The vote is on bill 20 6-461, as 809 00:47:33,435 --> 00:47:35,435 amended. Councilmember crawford. 810 00:47:37,772 --> 00:47:39,875 yes. Councilmember crawford votes 811 00:47:39,875 --> 00:47:41,976 yes. Councilmember felder yes. 812 00:47:41,976 --> 00:47:44,745 councilmember felder votes yes. Councilmember frumin. 813 00:47:44,745 --> 00:47:47,649 yes. Councilmember frumin votes yes. 814 00:47:47,649 --> 00:47:50,286 councilmember henderson yes. Councilmember henderson votes 815 00:47:50,286 --> 00:47:52,554 yes. Councilmember lewis george no. 816 00:47:52,554 --> 00:47:55,560 councilmember louis george votes no. 817 00:47:55,560 --> 00:47:56,558 chairman mendelson. Yes. 818 00:47:56,558 --> 00:48:00,695 chairman mendelson votes yes. Councilmember nadeau no. 819 00:48:00,695 --> 00:48:04,599 councilmember nadeau votes no. Councilmember parker no. 820 00:48:04,599 --> 00:48:08,536 councilmember parker votes no. Councilmember pinto yes. 821 00:48:08,536 --> 00:48:12,407 councilmember pinto votes yes. Councilmember robert white no. 822 00:48:12,407 --> 00:48:15,760 councilmember robert white votes no. 823 00:48:15,760 --> 00:48:16,945 councilmember trayon white, sr. No. 824 00:48:16,945 --> 00:48:18,646 councilmember trayon white, sr. Votes no. 825 00:48:18,646 --> 00:48:22,283 councilmember allen yes. Councilmember allen votes yes 826 00:48:22,283 --> 00:48:24,683 and councilmember bombs. Yes. 827 00:48:24,819 --> 00:48:27,722 councilmember bonds votes yes. Mr. Chairman, there are eight 828 00:48:27,722 --> 00:48:33,122 yes's and five no's. The bill, as amended, is 829 00:48:34,195 --> 00:48:36,195 approved. First reading. 830 00:48:37,198 --> 00:48:40,235 we will turn. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to ask if 831 00:48:40,235 --> 00:48:43,539 we can take a five minute recess. 832 00:48:43,539 --> 00:48:46,608 if there's no objection, we'll take a five minute recess. 833 00:48:46,608 --> 00:48:50,208 the time is 352, let's say till 4:00. 834 01:22:14,224 --> 01:22:19,240 five minutes. I believe our five minutes are 835 01:22:46,456 --> 01:22:49,250 up. I'm not sure why everybody is 836 01:22:49,250 --> 01:22:52,250 laughing. So we are reconvened. 837 01:22:52,362 --> 01:22:57,330 we had a brief recess. Just to recap. 838 01:22:57,330 --> 01:23:00,771 we have voted on the one bill that was for first reading, and 839 01:23:00,771 --> 01:23:05,875 we are now turning to emergency legislation, which on the agenda 840 01:23:05,875 --> 01:23:10,113 as circulated, I'll note, was originally the consent agenda. 841 01:23:10,113 --> 01:23:14,384 we have as the next item, the juvenile curfew, sunset 842 01:23:14,384 --> 01:23:17,384 emergency declaration, resolution of 2020 6pr 26 586 843 01:23:20,726 --> 01:23:23,295 councilmember pinto. Thank you, mr. Chairman. 844 01:23:23,295 --> 01:23:28,901 I think at this point everyone is familiar with the juvenile 845 01:23:28,901 --> 01:23:32,438 curfew amendment act that this would extend the emergency, 846 01:23:32,438 --> 01:23:36,943 which is especially important because it's sunsetted on april 847 01:23:36,943 --> 01:23:40,145 15th. And we want to prevent a gap in 848 01:23:40,145 --> 01:23:41,881 the law. I thank my colleagues for 849 01:23:41,881 --> 01:23:44,951 passing the permanent version, but as that goes through a 850 01:23:44,951 --> 01:23:47,419 process, it's going to take a little bit of time to implement. 851 01:23:47,419 --> 01:23:50,523 and so we want to make sure that there's no gap. 852 01:23:50,523 --> 01:23:54,827 I also want to note the mayor did declare a public emergency 853 01:23:54,827 --> 01:23:59,999 last week, but that expires on may 1st, which is before our 854 01:23:59,999 --> 01:24:03,599 next legislative meeting. And cannot continue. 855 01:24:04,570 --> 01:24:07,940 another piece I will say is I'm moving an oral amendment to this 856 01:24:07,940 --> 01:24:10,976 bill, which is unrelated, but very important. 857 01:24:10,976 --> 01:24:15,181 this is to address a passed bill from the fall that was attached. 858 01:24:15,181 --> 01:24:19,418 so the oral amendment removes the sunset for the volunteer 859 01:24:19,418 --> 01:24:21,854 services act. As a reminder, the volunteer 860 01:24:21,854 --> 01:24:26,692 services act allows the office of attorney general to use 861 01:24:26,692 --> 01:24:31,492 volunteer legal services, which is especially important this 862 01:24:32,865 --> 01:24:36,736 year and in every year. And we want to ensure that that 863 01:24:36,736 --> 01:24:41,674 authority continues if we do not pass this oral amendment and act 864 01:24:41,674 --> 01:24:44,674 today, that authority will sunset. 865 01:24:45,511 --> 01:24:49,448 and the reason for being is it was tied to our temporary from 866 01:24:49,448 --> 01:24:52,284 the fall, which sunsetted on april 15th. 867 01:24:52,284 --> 01:24:56,122 and so I hope there's no objection to me making an oral 868 01:24:56,122 --> 01:24:59,592 technical amendment to remove the sunset entirely from the 869 01:24:59,592 --> 01:25:04,697 volunteer services act. Did I hear you say so? 870 01:25:04,697 --> 01:25:06,697 moved. So moved. 871 01:25:06,699 --> 01:25:12,772 we have the declaration before us, and I think I will speak 872 01:25:12,772 --> 01:25:16,709 next. So this is the state of play we 873 01:25:16,709 --> 01:25:20,246 have on this agenda. The permanent bill, juvenile 874 01:25:20,246 --> 01:25:24,850 curfew amendment act, and we now have before us this emergency 875 01:25:24,850 --> 01:25:30,823 version of that, eight members voted for the permanent bill, 876 01:25:30,823 --> 01:25:35,795 first reading, as amended. As I noted earlier in 877 01:25:35,795 --> 01:25:39,665 discussion, a number of changes have been made to the curfew 878 01:25:39,665 --> 01:25:42,634 measure. So what we adopted last summer 879 01:25:42,634 --> 01:25:46,839 is not what is before us now. We've made what I think many 880 01:25:46,839 --> 01:25:51,510 members would characterize as improvements to deal with 881 01:25:51,510 --> 01:25:55,614 concerns about whether all we're doing is just criminalizing 882 01:25:55,614 --> 01:26:00,920 youth, or whether we're actually trying to look at this more 883 01:26:00,920 --> 01:26:04,758 holistically with different strategies, or recognizing that 884 01:26:04,758 --> 01:26:07,590 there need to be different strategies. 885 01:26:07,590 --> 01:26:09,862 but I want to add what I also said, which is that we're 886 01:26:09,862 --> 01:26:13,432 dealing with something that is new and different, and it is 887 01:26:13,432 --> 01:26:17,670 these large gatherings, takeovers, I think was the way 888 01:26:17,670 --> 01:26:20,906 one colleague put it, that we haven't seen before. 889 01:26:20,906 --> 01:26:27,112 so we're struggling with finding new tools to deal with these 890 01:26:27,112 --> 01:26:32,512 gatherings or takeovers. I am concerned that as members, 891 01:26:38,900 --> 01:26:41,461 know, we are not alone in this discussion. 892 01:26:41,461 --> 01:26:45,131 and by that I mean there are folks who are not friends to the 893 01:26:45,131 --> 01:26:49,101 district who are looking very intently at what we are doing or 894 01:26:49,101 --> 01:26:53,539 what we are not doing, and I'm not interested in giving them 895 01:26:53,539 --> 01:26:57,109 any talking points or ammunition, which is a reason 896 01:26:57,109 --> 01:27:00,613 why I have tried to make clear to colleagues that this issue 897 01:27:00,613 --> 01:27:05,651 and this vote is important, because it's not just about how 898 01:27:05,651 --> 01:27:10,289 we deal with these gatherings, which is the paramount concern, 899 01:27:10,289 --> 01:27:16,289 but it's also whether we are self-inflicting some wounds on 900 01:27:16,629 --> 01:27:20,365 ourself, which we don't need, given all of the other fights 901 01:27:20,365 --> 01:27:26,739 that we are having with regard to the district and its ability 902 01:27:26,739 --> 01:27:31,711 to operate as we know best. I've been a little oblique, but 903 01:27:31,711 --> 01:27:33,780 I think people understand what I'm saying. 904 01:27:33,780 --> 01:27:39,180 so that is very concerning. And I would add as well that I'm 905 01:27:39,180 --> 01:27:44,824 not interested in wha I would call a twisted message, which is 906 01:27:44,824 --> 01:27:49,594 that we as a majority, the council is saying we want this 907 01:27:49,594 --> 01:27:51,430 curfew and there will be a second reading. 908 01:27:51,430 --> 01:27:54,000 so there's opportunity for more improvements to it. 909 01:27:54,000 --> 01:27:58,237 if members want that. And then struggling with this 910 01:27:58,237 --> 01:28:01,807 emergency and whether we go forward with the emergency. 911 01:28:01,807 --> 01:28:05,978 so having said all that, with 13 seconds left, I'm going to move 912 01:28:05,978 --> 01:28:10,778 to table this to the next legislative meeting. 913 01:28:12,785 --> 01:28:15,154 so there's a motion to table. I can't remember. 914 01:28:15,154 --> 01:28:19,954 is it debatable. It's debatable as to time. 915 01:28:21,260 --> 01:28:25,970 so the motion is to table to the next legislative meeting. 916 01:28:25,970 --> 01:28:27,933 I will call for a vote. Mr. Chairman, when is the next 917 01:28:27,933 --> 01:28:31,304 legislative meeting scheduled? The next legislative meeting is 918 01:28:31,304 --> 01:28:34,373 may 5th. I will tell you that somebody 919 01:28:34,373 --> 01:28:39,440 has suggested maybe even you suggested maybe it wasn't you. 920 01:28:39,440 --> 01:28:42,214 somebody else suggested looking to see if we could have a 921 01:28:42,214 --> 01:28:44,983 meeting before then. That's not a commitment like 922 01:28:44,983 --> 01:28:47,520 next week. Could be. 923 01:28:47,520 --> 01:28:52,257 I'm not trying to be glib. I'm just saying next legislative 924 01:28:52,257 --> 01:28:56,562 meeting, mr. Chairman. And as you know, I this issue, I 925 01:28:56,562 --> 01:29:00,650 feel this issue is very important, not just because of 926 01:29:00,650 --> 01:29:04,303 the issue of the juveniles, but the issue, maybe I should say 927 01:29:04,303 --> 01:29:08,107 youth, not just because of this issue of how we deal with these 928 01:29:08,107 --> 01:29:14,147 youth takeovers, but also. How this is looking to folks who 929 01:29:14,147 --> 01:29:19,547 are not our friends. Councilmember bonds as to the 930 01:29:19,818 --> 01:29:22,721 time. Yes, as to time. 931 01:29:22,721 --> 01:29:28,812 chairman, I'm wondering if the time if we need maybe an 932 01:29:28,812 --> 01:29:32,584 additional 15 minute recess today so that we can move 933 01:29:32,584 --> 01:29:35,886 forward. We continue to kick the can down 934 01:29:35,886 --> 01:29:40,257 the road and wondered if the time could be set 15 minutes 935 01:29:40,257 --> 01:29:43,994 from now. Point of clarity 15 minutes from 936 01:29:43,994 --> 01:29:48,298 now to do what? I'm looking okay, I can look at 937 01:29:48,298 --> 01:29:51,898 the clock. Why don't we say. 938 01:29:54,537 --> 01:29:57,537 4:48 p.m. Today? Councilmember essentially 939 01:29:59,477 --> 01:30:03,914 saying, can we recess? And we just had a five minute 940 01:30:03,914 --> 01:30:06,914 recess that lasted for 34 minutes. 941 01:30:08,719 --> 01:30:12,222 yeah. I, you know, sometimes I feel 942 01:30:12,222 --> 01:30:17,695 that, you know, we kick the can and the can doesn't move very 943 01:30:17,695 --> 01:30:22,900 far and we kick it again. And it may be a half of an inch. 944 01:30:22,900 --> 01:30:29,500 and we continue to put off what we cannot put off. 945 01:30:30,700 --> 01:30:35,713 this is our community. And if we have to be here till 946 01:30:35,713 --> 01:30:40,316 midnight, we do that sometimes with our hearings on subject 947 01:30:40,316 --> 01:30:43,316 matter. This is subject matter. 948 01:30:44,588 --> 01:30:51,729 so I think we should try to come to a consensus, because this is 949 01:30:51,729 --> 01:30:56,700 like the fourth time we've talked about this, and we could 950 01:30:56,700 --> 01:31:02,473 not reach conclusion by putting it off for days for us to go 951 01:31:02,473 --> 01:31:08,846 away and have dinner and have breakfast the next day, and meet 952 01:31:08,846 --> 01:31:11,115 and chat and do the things that we do. 953 01:31:11,115 --> 01:31:17,115 and I'm just suggesting if it's important to our community, 954 01:31:19,423 --> 01:31:24,128 let's treat it with the importance that it has. 955 01:31:24,128 --> 01:31:27,664 you said that we don't follow robert's rules of order. 956 01:31:27,664 --> 01:31:30,167 we follow something else, what they do in congress. 957 01:31:30,167 --> 01:31:36,106 well, in congress, they keep at it until they reach whatever 958 01:31:36,106 --> 01:31:38,909 that crescendo is. Mr. Chairman, point of order. 959 01:31:38,909 --> 01:31:43,180 this part of the motion is not debatable, mr. Chairman. 960 01:31:43,180 --> 01:31:43,914 all right. So. 961 01:31:43,914 --> 01:31:48,452 well, he gave me the floor. That is why I was debating it. 962 01:31:48,452 --> 01:31:51,454 so I'm going to ask councilmember, are you making a 963 01:31:51,454 --> 01:31:56,392 motion to recess for 15 minutes? I'm making a motion regarding 964 01:31:56,392 --> 01:31:58,280 the time. Yes. 965 01:31:58,280 --> 01:32:00,564 well, no, you're making a motion to recess. 966 01:32:00,564 --> 01:32:05,300 let me be clear on this. So a motion to table to a time 967 01:32:05,300 --> 01:32:08,372 certain is debatable as to the time certain. 968 01:32:08,372 --> 01:32:11,842 a motion to reset. No, you're not a motion to 969 01:32:11,842 --> 01:32:15,779 recess does take precedence over a motion to table. 970 01:32:15,779 --> 01:32:20,751 so it would be an order. You want to give me a little 971 01:32:20,751 --> 01:32:23,751 more push on it. Okay. 972 01:32:23,887 --> 01:32:28,870 to recess. To recess for 20 minutes, which 973 01:32:29,226 --> 01:32:31,628 is debatable. And I hope nobody else debates 974 01:32:31,628 --> 01:32:34,264 this, but I will argue that we should not. 975 01:32:34,264 --> 01:32:37,301 we have. If you don't think there were 976 01:32:37,301 --> 01:32:40,571 discussions to try to work this out during the five minute 977 01:32:40,571 --> 01:32:43,741 recess, there were discussions so we could have another 20 978 01:32:43,741 --> 01:32:45,976 minute recess. And I can guarantee you that 979 01:32:45,976 --> 01:32:48,979 there will not be further progress today. 980 01:32:48,979 --> 01:32:53,249 so I would urge members not to vote or to recess for another 20 981 01:32:53,249 --> 01:32:55,352 minutes. The vote will be on the motion 982 01:32:55,352 --> 01:32:58,956 to recess. All those in favor, say aye. 983 01:32:58,956 --> 01:33:01,759 all those opposed say no, no, no, no. 984 01:33:01,759 --> 01:33:03,327 the nos have it. Cool. 985 01:33:03,327 --> 01:33:06,230 so we have the motion to mute my mic, man. 986 01:33:06,230 --> 01:33:09,660 somebody need my mic. That's crazy. 987 01:33:09,660 --> 01:33:11,801 motion to table to a time certain. 988 01:33:11,801 --> 01:33:13,338 which is to the next legislature chairman. 989 01:33:13,338 --> 01:33:14,838 I asked for roll call on last vote. 990 01:33:14,838 --> 01:33:17,208 it was ignored. Question is that it does not 991 01:33:17,208 --> 01:33:20,444 have to be the next legislative session. 992 01:33:20,444 --> 01:33:26,444 it could be within this session. Time is time, 24 hours. 993 01:33:26,483 --> 01:33:30,487 make that whole day. And that's what I'm trying to 994 01:33:30,487 --> 01:33:34,892 get to. Okay, so on the motion to table 995 01:33:34,892 --> 01:33:38,662 to the next legislative meeting, mr. Chairman. 996 01:33:38,662 --> 01:33:42,266 yes, I just wanted to speak to your motion. 997 01:33:42,266 --> 01:33:44,968 I don't support tabling this discussion. 998 01:33:44,968 --> 01:33:47,304 I think that it's very important. 999 01:33:47,304 --> 01:33:50,700 we want to make sure that we keep our young folks safe. 1000 01:33:50,700 --> 01:33:53,643 and I think by voting today shows our seriousness as a 1001 01:33:53,643 --> 01:33:57,781 council. And I will urge my colleagues to 1002 01:33:57,781 --> 01:34:01,718 not support the table but move forward today. 1003 01:34:01,718 --> 01:34:06,323 oh, the discussion that's in order is as to when the date 1004 01:34:06,323 --> 01:34:09,159 certain, which is the next legislative meeting. 1005 01:34:09,159 --> 01:34:12,629 so the vote is on the roll call. Chairman. 1006 01:34:12,629 --> 01:34:15,532 madam secretary, call the roll. The vote is on the motion to 1007 01:34:15,532 --> 01:34:17,634 table to the next legislative meeting. 1008 01:34:17,634 --> 01:34:22,434 council member felder no. Councilmember felder votes, no. 1009 01:34:22,572 --> 01:34:24,408 councilmember frumin. Yes. 1010 01:34:24,408 --> 01:34:27,844 councilmember frumin votes yes. Councilmember henderson no. 1011 01:34:27,844 --> 01:34:29,546 councilmember henderson votes no. 1012 01:34:29,546 --> 01:34:31,381 councilmember lewis george. Yes. 1013 01:34:31,381 --> 01:34:33,850 councilmember lewis george votes yes. 1014 01:34:33,850 --> 01:34:36,687 chairman mendelson yes. Chairman mendelson votes yes. 1015 01:34:36,687 --> 01:34:40,887 councilmember nadeau no. Councilmember nadeau votes no. 1016 01:34:40,924 --> 01:34:44,861 councilmember parker yes. Councilmember parker votes yes. 1017 01:34:44,861 --> 01:34:48,498 councilmember pinto no. Councilmember pinto votes no. 1018 01:34:48,498 --> 01:34:52,770 councilmember robert white yes. Councilmember robert white votes 1019 01:34:52,770 --> 01:34:55,390 yes. Councilmember trayon white, sr. 1020 01:34:55,390 --> 01:34:56,572 no. Councilmember trayon white, sr. 1021 01:34:56,572 --> 01:34:59,409 votes no. Councilmember allen yes. 1022 01:34:59,409 --> 01:35:02,546 councilmember allen votes yes. Councilmember bonds no. 1023 01:35:02,546 --> 01:35:06,746 councilmember bonds votes no. Councilmember crawford yes. 1024 01:35:06,783 --> 01:35:08,585 councilmember crawford votes yes. 1025 01:35:08,585 --> 01:35:11,855 mr. Chairman, there are seven yeses and six nos. 1026 01:35:11,855 --> 01:35:16,661 the motion to table passes that's going to conclude the 1027 01:35:16,661 --> 01:35:19,661 business for this legislative meeting. 1028 01:35:19,929 --> 01:35:25,929 the time is 4:39 p.m., and this meeting is adjourned.