DETROIT – Detroit City Council members have set a public hearing for June 15 to further discuss the expanded curfew for minors proposed for the 2026 Ford Fireworks celebration later this month.
The proposal, submitted by the city’s Law Department on behalf of the Detroit Police Department, aims to minimize the risk of violence and disorderly conduct on the night of the event by establishing an 8 p.m. curfew for all minors on June 22 that will continue through 6 a.m. the following day in certain parts of downtown and along the riverfront.
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Detroit’s current curfew requires unaccompanied minors ages 15 and younger 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.’
During the Council meeting on Tuesday, Detroit’s 1st Assistant Chief of Police Franklin Hayes noted that the requested curfew change for the event is an “annual ask” by the Detroit Police Department and was not in response to recent teen takeover events.
District 7 Council Member Denzel McCampbell expressed concerns about the impacts of the earlier curfew — especially among 16 and 17 year olds.
“I think the central question of ‘who do we allow to be a part of the fireworks display’ [is essential],” he said. “This is a premiere event that happens in the summer of Detroit.”
The city had 169 curfew violations between April 1 and May 20 of this year, according to the Detroit Police Department.
Last year, two people were shot before the fireworks show began. For that reason, some residents say an earlier curfew for the fireworks night is necessary, while others find it to be too strict.
“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,” downtown resident Kellie Zachman told Local 4. She said restricting teens to such a small window of time outside that day seems excessive, but she’s conflicted because of recent incidents.
A public hearing on the matter has been tentatively set for 10:45 a.m. Monday, June 15.