More young people have gotten in trouble for being out past curfew in Nashville compared to this same time in 2023. Juvenile court officials have said that it’s going to take several factors to combat the issue.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — More young people have gotten in trouble for being out past curfew in Nashville compared to this same time in 2023. Juvenile court officials have said that it’s going to take several factors to combat the issue.
Data from the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) showed an increase in juvenile arrests involving breaking curfew. According to the numbers, the year-to-date total showed an over 45 percent increase over this time last year.
The year-to-date data for 2023 showed that 109 young people were arrested for being out past curfew. Year-to-date data for 2024 shows that 159 youth have been arrested. Under Metro ordinance, someone under 18 years old can’t be out in public without supervision between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
That curfew is extended to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and on weeknights between June 1 and August 31. Jennifer Wade, the administrator for Davidson County’s Juvenile Court, told News 2 its going to take a community effort to combat the issue.
“It does put young people at risk of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, obviously, whether that means being involved in crime or being a victim of crime,” Wade said. “I definitely think that it is a red herring for us. We really have to look at holistic ways that we engage young people very differently in our city.”
There are a few exceptions to the rules, including if a minor is going to and from work or running an errand for a parent. Otherwise, there are consequences. Enforcement could include community service or people could face fines. Additionally, parents could be cited. Plans for the Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment (NYCE) is underway and could help to combat delinquency.
Officials expect the Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment to open mid-2027.
News 2 reached also out to metro police about the jump in juvenile curfew data on whether it’s related to certain trends authorities are seeing. A spokesperson told News 2 that there “is not a specific initiative or reason as to why these particular numbers have increased.”