The city may adopt an earlier curfew for young people, as it grapples with unpermitted events that are fueled by social media and can draw large, unruly crowds.
A proposal discussed Tuesday would move the curfew for unaccompanied minors to 10 p.m. from 11 p.m. City Council may consider the change Feb. 17. That would allow it to take effect before the springtime, when large gatherings tend to start in the resort area.
There would be exceptions, such as for teens traveling to or from work, officials said.
“We are doing this with the intent of a safe environment for everybody — our residents and visitors,” Mayor Bobby Dyer told WHRO.
Councilmember Joash Schulman said the idea is worth a try.
“And I look forward to seeing metrics, if possible, that tell us how this helps because I’ve got full faith in our police department to exercise new authority in a responsible way,” he said.
Officials said unpermitted events can develop through social media posts or digital posters and draw lots of people. Posts may be vague or misleading. Someone behind it might be a kid at their computer.
Officials are already seeing social media promotion of a “College Beach Week” event in April, though it is earlier than what is known as Week 17.
“The police chief is seeing and the police department is seeing some intelligence to indicate that we're seeing some of those events likely to come this year,” City Manager Patrick Duhaney told council Tuesday.
Police Chief Paul Neudigate spoke after a briefing on crime statistics, which showed crime is down.
Neudigate discussed incidents and showed videos, including a “pop-up” in April that led to gunfire at the resort even though 11 police officers were nearby.
“An individual pulled out a firearm and began randomly firing at will without a care,” he said.
Over another April weekend, there were more than 50 arrests, 28 firearms seized and three shootings.
“So this is really where we need to get our handle on what is occurring during the warm weather months for that Week 17 and early spring,” the chief said.
Neudigate said promoters of such events are secretive, using social media posts to generate interest. Police need to prepare even if the events don’t actually occur.
The curfew, the chief said, is something the department “has used sparingly” but could help. Police are working with the Sheriff’s Office and city officials to concentrate enforcement on weekend nights and focus on young people by taking them to a recreation center or “somewhere less confrontational” than a police station for a handoff to parents or guardians.
Legislation in Richmond could give local governments more ways to address events.
The city is tracking a bill that would let communities use enhanced enforcement by establishing “pop-up event zones” in response to gatherings that pose a safety risk or are disruptive.
The bill introduced by Del. Virgil Thornton is scheduled to be discussed Friday in Richmond. Thornton, a Democrat, represents a district that includes Poquoson and parts of Hampton and York County.
Thornton told WHRO that concerns exist in other communities, including Hampton and Richmond.
“And when these things happen, the localities just want to make sure that we have the right resources in place as far as public safety and things of that nature,” he said.
When zones are established, communities could make them “gun-free,” use higher traffic fines and establish a curfew for unaccompanied minors as early as 6 p.m.
Localities might even recover enforcement costs from event organizers.
Neudigate noted on Tuesday that it wouldn’t start until July if approved.