DETROIT – Detroit police are asking the city to temporarily restrict minors in parts of downtown and along the riverfront during this year’s Ford Fireworks -- and a committee vote has put the measure one step closer to becoming reality.
The proposed curfew would take effect at 8 p.m. on June 22 and remain in place until 6 a.m. the following morning.
Detroit Police 1st Assistant Chief Franklin Hayes pointed to recent incidents across the country as justification for the measure at the Public Health and Safety Committee meeting.
“We’ve seen what’s going on, quite frankly, around the country as recent as this past weekend,” Hayes said. “A neighboring city had to shut down a festival in Dearborn Heights as it relates to these mass gatherings of unsupervised teens.”
City Council has approved similar curfews in previous years. This year’s proposal, however, comes as communities nationwide grapple with a growing trend of so-called “teen takeovers.”
Several residents called into the meeting to share their opinions. Most of those who spoke opposed the curfew.
“People shouldn’t be excluded from their own city, regardless of age,” one resident said.
Another resident offered a different view: “I support the ordinance in as much as anyone, regardless of age, race, whether you live in the city or not, can be a victim of senseless actions.”
After public comment, the committee approved forwarding the proposal to the full City Council — but without a recommendation. That means committee members did not take a position for or against the measure.
Detroit Police Commissioner Darryl Woods said he hopes the full council approves the curfew.
“We are not saying that children are not allowed to come,” Woods said. “We’re saying that a responsible parent or guardian needs to be with them. We want to keep them safe.”
The full City Council is expected to vote on the temporary curfew at Tuesday’s meeting, which begins at 10 a.m.
---> Here’s how to watch the 2026 Ford Fireworks live from Detroit