Mayor, police chief to discuss Youngstown curfew plans to curb youth violence

YOUNGSTOWN  Youngstown officials are set to announce a renewed enforcement of the city's juvenile curfew, a measure aimed at curbing youth violence and enhancing public safety. Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, Police Chief Carl Davis, and Guy Burney of the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) will address the upcoming efforts at a press conference on Monday.

The press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Youngstown Police Department Training Center. Other law enforcement and judicial partners are also expected to attend.

Youngstown's current ordinance prohibits individuals 17 and under from being on city streets and sidewalks between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents or guardians who permit their children to violate the curfew face potential penalties, ranging from fines to misdemeanor charges, larger fines, and even jail time for repeat offenses.

The Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) is a collaborative effort uniting law enforcement, social service agencies and community members. Its mission is to reduce gun violence by offering support and intervention to those seeking a non-violent path.

CIRV's "The Violence Must Stop" strategy includes targeting chronic violent offenders through focused deterrence, providing support services to individuals willing to change, offering violence prevention programs for youth, and encouraging community participation.

The city has a history of implementing curfew crackdowns, particularly during the summer months. The initiatives have aimed to keep young people safe and deter criminal activities. Authorities underscore the preventative nature of enforcement and the importance of parental accountability.

The renewed focus on curfew enforcement coincides with ongoing efforts by community leaders, including local pastors, to address rising violence in the city. The United Pastors, Clergy and Community Leaders Against the Violence will hold a "Stop the Violence Community Prayer Vigil and Rally" at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Hillman Street parking lot of New Bethel Baptist Church, located at 1524 Hillman St.

The event, which will include prayers for peace and the year's "Stop the Violence Campaign," will move inside the L.A. Simon Social Service Center at the same address in the event of rain. Recent rallies have highlighted concerns over an increase in homicides and emphasized the critical need for community involvement and intervention to protect young people.