A tougher youth exit lock will not reduce the crime of DC

After a series of Young arrest in connection with Illegal fireworks In Washington, the district of the Navy Yards from DC, the Democratic Mayor of the city, Muriel Bowser, was signed on July 4th at the weekend Juvenile output lock Emergency improvement from 2025 In the law on July 7th. The legislation expanded the City curve to apply daily from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 31 August for everyone aged 17 years. It also forbids minors to stay in a public space or facility within the district during the starting times.

In addition to the increased output blocks, the change enables the chief of police to be implemented Youth output zones. In these areas, an output ban can be put into force, and youthful groups of nine or more must not gather unless they take part Certain liberated activities. Those who violate the city's output ban can be exposed to up to 25 hours of community service, while a parent or legal guard who “knowingly permits or permits in insufficient control, a minor against the initiative block,” is subject to a fine of up to 500 US dollars or a civilian service. The first outcome lock was implemented in the navy yard Last weekendAnd no arrests were made.

While public opinion can Mostly support the initial wanning lawsSeveral academics have long argued that initial blocks none Effective way to combat crimes. A 2003 study Published in the Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science found that such laws “generate statistically significant changes in crime”. Remarkably “of thirty -eight relationships between the implementation and crime rates showed four a significant decline in crime, two showed a significant increase in crime, and thirty -two showed no significant change.”

Similar, A study from 2015 found that gun violence in Washington, DC, rose by 150 percent between 2006 and 2013, came into force as a youthful initial blocking to combat youth violence. The study theorized that these initial blocks keep the citizens away from the street, “the removal of spectators and testify to the streets could reduce their deterrent effect on street crime”. For criminals who want to commit violence, this means fewer witnesses.

Output locks too “Live the risk of building up poorer relationships between the youth and the police and doing profiling,” William Carbone, expert for youth justice, expert, told Maryland is important In 2023. This theory is supported by the coalition for youthful justice alleged In the same year, in which black teenagers aim for violations of the initial blocks more often than white teenagers. “Law enforcement officers tend not only to assess the likelihood of a young person, to participate in criminal behavior, but also their rehabilitation opportunities, based on races/ethnia Stereotypes, “said the group.

With 40 percent of the city's 2024 murder cases remain open, It is a miracle that fireworks – no more serious crimes – have inspired the civil servants of the district to organize the stricter output lock. It is unlikely that the outcome lock in Washington will reduce crime sensibly, but reduce the freedom of young people.