Parents, do your job, or we’ll do ours,” Pirro declared.
Advertisement Pirro said her office will begin prosecuting parents under Washington’s curfew and delinquency statutes when minors repeatedly violate curfew laws, skip school, possess drugs or alcohol, ignore court orders, or participate in criminal activity connected to the so-called takeovers.
“This is going to be a strict liability crime and a strict liability prosecution,” Pirro said. “You can’t just say, ‘Well, I didn’t know.’”
The announcement marks one of the toughest anti-juvenile-crime initiatives unveiled in Washington in years and comes after months of growing frustration over large groups of teens flooding entertainment districts, assaulting people, vandalizing businesses, and clashing with police in areas like Navy Yard and the U Street Corridor
According to Pirro, penalties could include jail time of up to six months, court-ordered parenting classes, fines, and financial liability for property damage caused by minors. Advertisement “Starting now, parents? You’re paying the bills,” she said. “And if you allow them to continue? We’re gonna prosecute you.”
Videos of massive teen gatherings overwhelming restaurants, retail stores, subway stations, and public streets have circulated widely online over the past year, fueling criticism that city leaders failed to respond aggressively enough.
Pirro sharply criticized the Muriel Bowser administration and the D.C. Council for what she described as years of weak enforcement and political hesitation.
The policy shift comes amid mounting political pressure over rising concerns about youth violence and public disorder across the District
The crackdown follows the passage of a controversial youth curfew measure approved earlier this month by the D.C. Council in an 8-5 vote after weeks of heated debate.
The legislation gives the Metropolitan Police authority to establish temporary curfew zones where minors are prohibited from gathering in groups of eight or more after 8 p.m.
Critics, however, contend the measure unfairly targets young people and risks over-policing minority communities.
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