DETROIT – When thousands of people head downtown next month for the 2026 Ford Fireworks in Detroit, some teenagers could be facing tighter rules on how late they’re allowed to stay.
The city’s Law Department, at the request of the police department, sent a proposal to the Detroit City Council that looks into expanding the youth curfew for the night of the annual fireworks show.
Under the proposal, the curfew for minors in certain parts of downtown and along the riverfront would begin at 8 p.m. on June 22 and last until 6 a.m. the following morning.
“It feels very early, and I think of my former teen years, I think I would be kind of upset about an 8 p.m. curfew,” said downtown resident Kellie Zachman. She said restricting teens to such a small window of time outside that day seems excessive, but she’s conflicted because of recent incidents.
Denzel McCampbell said the request isn’t new; similar proposals have surfaced in past years around the fireworks, but this one is getting more attention following several high-profile problems involving teen takeovers.
One takeover, a man had a chain stolen, and in another, a 14-year-old was shot by another teen.
Currently, Detroit’s curfew requires minors 15 and younger who are not with an adult to be off public streets by 10 p.m.
For 16- and 17-year-olds, the curfew is 11 p.m.
Other exceptions besides being with a parent include traveling for work or school, or attending organized activities.
Between April 1 and May 20 of this year, there were 169 curfew violations, according to the Detroit Police Department.
“Definitely, I think that they should lower that, because in the past every year it’s something,” said Dywan Henry, a former police officer.
Henry said last year’s fireworks show felt chaotic, and he worried that large groups of teens could add to the disorder.
Last year, two people were shot before the fireworks show began. Some residents say the stricter curfew for the fireworks night is necessary.
Detroit City Council Member Denzel McCampbell, who represents District 7, said council members will weigh not only whether an earlier curfew could prevent violence but also what it would mean for teens’ access to safe spaces.
“Is this something that is proof in the pudding that will keep more folks safe, including our teens, including ensuring they have a place to go, including that they aren’t someplace that could be less safe for them?” McCampbell said.
The proposal is scheduled to go before a council committee on Monday.
If the committee votes to move it forward, it could be taken up in a formal City Council session as soon as Tuesday.
Local 4 reached out to the police department, and their public information officer said that if this passes the committee on Monday, they would have a presence at the Tuesday meeting to add to the discussion.