Columbus City Council approves temporary curfew for unsupervised minors in downtown Columbus
The Columbus City Council has approved a temporary curfew ordinance for unsupervised minors in Downtown Columbus in an effort to address ongoing public safety concerns.
The ordinance will take effect 10 days after Mayor Skip Henderson signs it and will remain in effect through September 30, 2026, unless it is extended by City Council.
The curfew applies only to Uptown Columbus, covering the area from 8th Street to 14th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bay Avenue.
Under the ordinance, anyone under the age of 18 will not be allowed to remain in public places within Uptown Columbus between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or another adult with lawful authority to supervise them. Several exceptions are included in the ordinance.
City leaders said the measure was adopted following ongoing concerns about large groups of unsupervised minors gathering in Uptown during late evening and overnight hours.
According to city officials, police officers, business owners, and community stakeholders have reported incidents involving disruptive behavior, trespassing, fights, shootings, and other activities that have affected public safety and local businesses.
The Columbus Police Department has documented hundreds of calls for service and arrests in Uptown Columbus in recent years. Officials said many of those incidents occurred during evening hours and involved large groups of unsupervised minors.
“This ordinance is not about punishing kids. It is temporary and will end at the end of the summer,” Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis said. “Most of all, we need the help of parents. This is an overall strategic step to reduce crime, and we can’t do it alone. This is not about keeping kids out of Uptown. It’s about keeping people safe.”
The Columbus Police Department said it will continue working with parents, business owners, residents, and community partners to educate the public about the ordinance and ensure consistent enforcement.
Officials are encouraging parents and guardians to review the ordinance, understand its requirements, and remain actively involved in knowing where their children are and who they are with during evening hours.
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