Virginia Beach Oceanfront: Emergency Curfew Implemented Impacting Unaccompanied Minors

The City of Virginia Beach is implementing an imminent threat curfew for unaccompanied minors at the Oceanfront starting on Friday, March 13.  

The curfew will be enforced from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. every weekend, Friday to Sunday, until the end of April. The geographical area of such curfew shall be bounded to the south by Rudee Park, the west by the western boundary of Pacific Avenue, the north by the northern boundary of 31st Street, and the east by the Atlantic Ocean.

Why the change? 

The curfew is in response to the recent shooting at the Oceanfront, where six people were shot.

The purpose is to curb violence, keep residents and visitors safe and foster a welcoming community for families across Virginia Beach.

Charges for being out past curfew

Unaccompanied minors out after 7 p.m. could be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor, the most serious misdemeanor level under Virginia law.

What a Class 1 misdemeanor means:

Under The State Code of Virginia, a Class 1 misdemeanor can carry up to 12 months in jail and fines reaching $2,500.

For all other areas outside of the Oceanfront's imminent threat zone, a 10 p.m. curfew will be in effect for unaccompanied minors starting March 19.

There are exceptions to both curfews:

• Any emergency errand reasonably necessary to safeguard life, limb or property.
• Lawful employment, including going directly from the minor's residence to the place of such employment or returning directly from the place of such employment to the minor's residence.
• Attendance at a specified engagement or performance, attendance at religious services or participation in any assembly or expressive activity protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution; provided that the minor shall have in his possession written permission including the signature, address and telephone number, of a parent, guardian or other adult person having care, custody or control of such minor to attend such activity or event, and shall return directly to his residence upon conclusion.
• Interstate travel through, beginning or terminating in the City of Virginia Beach.

If a minor is out after 7 p.m., several City facilities across Virginia Beach have been identified as pickup points.

For full ordinance details and additional information, please visit: VirginiaBeach.gov/CurfewChange.