Charlotte's new teen curfew is on the books, but one of the county's top law enforcement agencies says it won't enforce it.
The Youth Protection Ordinance took effect Sunday, Nov. 1, requiring everyone under 18 to be off public streets and out of businesses between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. every night within Charlotte city limits. Charlotte City Council approved the 10-month pilot program on a 9-2 vote, according to WCNC Charlotte. It runs through Aug. 31, 2027.
Two days before the curfew started, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden posted a statement on Instagram saying his office would not participate.
"The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office was not asked for its opinion or consulted, and did not participate in discussions regarding the development, implementation or possible enforcement of this initiative," the statement read.
McFadden's office said deputies will still enforce North Carolina state laws when they observe criminal activity. The statement added: "While we are not participating in the curfew initiative, it does not change our responsibility to protect the public or respond to criminal activity and assist our law enforcement partners."
No public response from CMPD or city officials to McFadden's position appears in available reporting.
What the curfew means for Ballantyne families
The ordinance applies citywide. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Estella Patterson said officers will not actively patrol for curfew violations, according to WCNC Charlotte's explainer on the ordinance. If an officer encounters a teen believed to be in violation, the officer will speak with the young person and contact their parents.
Patterson said the goal is safety, not punishment. CMPD plans to start with education before moving to enforcement in repeated or serious cases, according to the department.
Exceptions allow minors to be out after curfew for work, school-sponsored events, religious activities and emergencies. Teens accompanied by a parent, guardian or authorized adult age 21 or older are also exempt.
Parents could face charges for contributing to the delinquency of a minor in repeated cases, according to WCNC Charlotte. Patterson said the department would hold parents accountable in serious situations, particularly involving very young children out late at night.
Why the city acted
CMPD data cited by WCNC Charlotte showed 330 juvenile victims of crime and 250 victims of gun violence or assault with a deadly weapon during overnight hours over the past year. The ordinance is aimed in part at teen takeovers and large gatherings where police say violence can occur, according to QC News.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and CMPD alerted parents on Saturday, Oct. 31, about the curfew taking effect the following night, WCNC Charlotte reported.
Council member Dimple Ajmera, who sits on the city council's Safety Committee, said the ordinance is about protecting young people, not criminalizing them, according to WCNC Charlotte.
Council member J.D. Mazuera Arias said he would watch the data for signs of disproportionate impact. Officers will complete stop data forms so CMPD can track enforcement patterns, and the department plans to work with a third party to analyze the information, according to WCNC Charlotte. CMPD will provide quarterly updates to City Council.
Residents who want to learn more about the ordinance can visit the CMPD Local Ordinances page, though the page had not yet been updated to reflect the new pilot's terms as of publication. Families seeking support can contact CMPD's Juvenile Accountability and Diversion Empowerment (JADE) program.
