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YAP! / Raleigh Youth Power

01 · Raleigh Youth Power

Invest in youth. Not curfews.

Raleigh considered a citywide teen curfew. We're asking what actually makes young people safer — and giving Raleigh residents ways to participate in the conversation.

The Curfew Timeline

Where are we now?

  1. JULY 7

    HAPPENED

    Council directs staff to draft a curfew ordinance

    Raleigh City Council directed staff to draft a citywide curfew ordinance for people 17 and under.

  2. AUGUST 18

    HAPPENED

    Council discusses the proposed teen curfew

    Council heard and discussed the proposed curfew ordinance.

    WATCH WHAT HAPPENED →

  3. SEPTEMBER 8

    HAPPENED

    Dedicated City Council public comment session

    Raleigh residents gave public comment on the proposed curfew at a dedicated session.

  4. VOTE DELAYED

    HAPPENED

    Council delays its scheduled vote

    Council was scheduled to vote on the curfew and delayed the decision. No new vote date has been set.

  5. SEPTEMBER 2026

    HAPPENED

    Curfew proposal on hold

    Councilwoman Jane Harrison confirmed the city is no longer actively pursuing the curfew — every Council member reportedly agreed not to move forward with it. This is a major milestone, but it isn't final: Council must still vote before the decision is official, and no vote date has been set.

    READ THE WRAL REPORT →

  6. YOU ARE HERE

    YOU ARE HERE

    The City heard from teens on October 12

    The curfew proposal is on hold, but it hasn't been formally resolved through a Council vote. The City hosted a community conversation with teenagers on October 12 about youth safety and the proposal. We're staying engaged until this is actually settled, and will post what's next as the City announces it.

    VIEW CITY EVENT DETAILS →

What Happened To The Proposed Curfew?

In September 2026, Councilwoman Jane Harrison confirmed that Raleigh City Council is no longer actively pursuing the curfew — every Council member reportedly agreed not to move forward with it. That's a real result of the community pressure this campaign helped build.

But it's not the same as a final decision. Before it's official, Council still has to vote on the proposal, and no vote date has been set. The City hosted a community conversation on October 12 to hear directly from teens.

Read the WRAL report →

The Receipts

Every claim, sourced.

We believe strong campaigns should be grounded in facts. If you see an error or have updated information, contact the campaign at youngamericansprotest@proton.me.

One dedicated teen center in Raleigh

Source: City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources — Teen Programs

Almost 100,000 children impacted by the curfew

Source: City of Raleigh Planning and Development — City Profile

Research shows that child curfews do not reduce crime

Source: The Marshall Project — "Why Juvenile Curfews Don't Work" (citing a 2016 Campbell Collaboration systematic review of 12 studies)

What Safety Could Look Like

We are not against safety. We have a better safety plan.

A curfew treats every teenager in Raleigh as a suspect for the actions of a few. Here's what the research and organizing in other cities point to instead.

An aerial view of a large crowd marching down a highway in Raleigh, carrying signs.
Don't contain youth power. Invest in it.

More dedicated teen centers

Real, staffed spaces built for teenagers — not repurposed rooms with nowhere to go after 9pm.

Late-night recreation

Extended hours at rec centers, gyms, and libraries so young people have somewhere to be, not just somewhere to leave.

Paid youth jobs

Real employment and job training that puts money in young people's pockets and structure in their week.

Free or expanded transportation

Getting to a job, a program, or a mentor shouldn't depend on a car a teenager doesn't have.

Mentorship

Consistent adult relationships — coaches, tutors, and mentors — proven to matter more than policing.

Mental-health support

Accessible counseling and crisis support that meets young people where they are, before a crisis escalates.

Violence interruption

Trained community members who de-escalate conflict directly, instead of routing every incident through police contact.

Youth advisory councils with real power

Young people should help design the policies aimed at them — with an actual vote, not just a listening session.

Targeted safety plans for nightlife districts

Address specific incidents in specific places — like Glenwood South and Brier Creek — without restricting every teenager in Raleigh.