Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Police Department has instituted a teen curfew at Millennium Park following a weekend of violence that ended with two teens shot and 15 others arrested. on Apr 18th.

"The Chicago Police Department’s top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our residents and visitors, including our city’s youth," a Monday statement from the department read. "The reckless, disruptive and violent behavior that was seen downtown this past weekend will not be tolerated. We encourage our young people to be safe and responsible as they enjoy their weekends, but anyone engaged in criminal activity will be arrested and held accountable."

NBC Chicago wrote the curfew starts at 10 p.m. for people 17 years old and under. It noted that Mayor Lori Lightfoot did a 6 p.m. curfew this past summer.

Among the new rules and regulations now on the books in the wake of the most recent weekend of violence involving teens in the downtown area are bag checks at beach entry points and the curfew for minors at Millennium Park that will be in effect for both residents and visitors.

“CPD responded to several large groups of juveniles and young adults in the downtown district engaging in reckless and disruptive behavior, putting themselves and the public at risk for harm,” officials said of the arrests, NBC 5 Chicago reported.

While outgoing Mayor Lightfoot has noted that CPD has vowed they will "make the necessary adjustments to address these teen trends issues as summer fast approaches, Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson released a statement where he expressed "In no way do I condone the destructive activity we saw in the Loop and lakefront this weekend."

During his Mayoral campaign, Johnson explained that people are living in harsh conditions that force them to do poor behavior like stealing.

“People are acting out of desperation,” Johnson said to WGN. “You have to pay attention to cries people have, there’s no way to embrace [looting].”

City activists that include New Beginnings Church Pastor Corey Brooks and St. Sabina Church Father Michael Pflegger will continue to offer events and programs for teens in Englewood and Woodlawn that hopefully will help to keep them in safe and constructive environments.