LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — LVMPD police say some minors are not following curfew during First Friday celebrations, with some ending up on the Fremont Street Experience after hours. The issue has led to arrests and citations for minors and, in some cases, their parents.
Police increase patrols after fights, weapons
Police say the problems usually end with juveniles getting into fights. According to LVMPD, officers typically remove at least one illegally concealed firearm from someone carrying it during every First Friday.
“It’s a concern because these juveniles are out there without any type of supervision,” said Ryan Wiggins, captain of LVMPD’s Downtown Area Command.
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Curfew hours stricter downtown
The curfew in other parts of Las Vegas during the school year on weekends usually runs from midnight to 5 a.m. During First Friday, the hours are stricter, especially in areas downtown including the Arts District and the Fremont Street Experience, where curfew runs from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
“They do put up barricades and there’s road closures over there and they’re checking IDs at all the casino properties,” Wiggins said.
Zero tolerance policy in effect
The curfew only applies to minors who are out without their parent or guardian. LVMPD says patrol is being heavily enforced, with consequences for violations.
“If they do, we have a zero tolerance policy and we will be citing and arresting juveniles for curfew violations,” Wiggins said.
Citations are sometimes extending to parents as well.
“Any repeated juvenile that comes to First Friday that also gets cited or arrested from a previous night, those parents can now be cited or arrested for allowing their child to be in violation of curfew,” Wiggins said.
Arrests down since May
LVMPD says the worst of the problem started a few months ago, with 78 juveniles arrested and cited in May. Police say improved presence brought that number down to 18 in August.
“Over the past few months, crime has actually gone down because we have deployed additional officers down to First Friday,” Wiggins said.
Las Vegas police say their goal is never to arrest minors. They want everyone to have a good time on First Friday, but they also for kids to be safe. LVMPD says kids who are not with a parent who are found will be reunited with their guardian as soon as possible.
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