United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Friday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will begin prosecuting parents in the latest effort to crack down on “teen takeovers.”
The DOJ is set to begin rolling out prosecutions against parents under D.C.’s curfew law under code 22-811, which makes it unlawful for adults to “enable, facilitate, or permit a minor to engage in delinquent acts,” Pirro said during a press conference. If parents are successfully charged, they may face up to six months in prison. (RELATED: DC Put On ‘Spring Teen Jam’ To Keep Juveniles Out Of Trouble — Instead, Eight Got Arrested)
“If the evidence shows the parent knew, or should have known, or permitted, or failed to prevent participation, we’re gonna charge them,” Pirro said. “If you drop your kid off and you failed to supervise them, or you let them skip school to join the chaos, you are going to face fines, court-ordered classes, and possible jail time.”
“Parents, do your jobs, or we will do yours.”
(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Teen takeovers have primarily taken place in Washington D.C.’s Navy Yard, where hundreds and sometimes thousands of juveniles gather and disrupt area neighborhoods at an overwhelming scale. These takeovers, which are frequently organized on social media, often lead to high rates of vandalism and property damage, even escalating to violence.
D.C.’s local government had previously implemented curfews, but attempts to enforce them had little effect on the weekly takeovers. At Pirro’s direction, law enforcement is now ramping up its operations. (RELATED: Teen Allegedly Plotted To Behead ICE Agents, Show Them Off To Indian Tribes)
“This doesn’t require new legislation, folks,” Pirro said. “It’s all there. And it sends a clear message to parents that you must supervise your kids or face criminal consequences.”
“Law-abiding taxpayers no longer have to pay for parental neglect, and as we take back our streets, as you’ve heard today, there will be no excuses.”