Last Updated on February 16, 2023, 11:05 PM | Published: February 16, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY — The City of Oklahoma City Council will hold a public hearing on Feb. 28 and a vote on March 14 on a proposal to move the curfew start time for minors in the Bricktown Entertainment District to earlier in the evening.
The proposal is to move the curfew time from 11 p.m. to 9 p.m. for people younger than 18 who are unaccompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult.
If adopted, the change would result in the curfew for Bricktown to run from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. seven days per week.
The current curfew in Bricktown is from 11:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. the next day, seven days per week.
You may study in detail the current ordinance on the City’s website.
“The proposal is in no way meant to discourage juveniles from enjoying all Bricktown has to offer,” said Assistant City Manager Jason Ferbrache. “Instead, the change in curfew is intended to incentivize unattended teens to return to their families or engage in other youth-oriented activities once their event or outing in Bricktown has concluded.”
The 9:00 curfew idea is supported by the Bricktown Association Board.
“It’s important Bricktown continue to grow and thrive, and the proposed curfew will help us retain our spot as OKC’s top entertainment district,” said Bricktown Association Board Chair Chad Huntington. “Ensuring the safety of thousands of visitors every week is our top priority.”
The current and proposed curfews include Bricktown and Lower Bricktown all the way to the Oklahoma River.
It requires police officers to ask the juvenile’s age and reason for being in the area prior to taking enforcement action. It also provides exceptions to enforcement including, but not limited to, when the juvenile is accompanied by a parent or responsible adult, is engaged in an employment activity, is involved in an emergency, or is going to or returning home from an official event. The requirements for police officers to obtain this information remain in the proposed ordinance.
The curfew for minors citywide is from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Violators are subject to a class “A” offense, which requires a mandatory court appearance in Oklahoma City Municipal Juvenile Court.
The proposed ordinance is scheduled for a public hearing on Feb. 28 and a vote on March 14. If it passes with an emergency provision, it will take effect immediately.
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
