Statement from Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, D-Ward 1, regarding the Mayor’s letter to the Council:

The facts don’t lie: curfews are not effective at addressing youth crime. We are in a political environment where a lot of politicians want you to believe that they have a quick fix to a complex issue. The Mayor has called out five members who are voting on the facts and on principle while she’s also cutting funding to the Credible Messenger program, Pathways, the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and Parks and Recreation and hopes nobody will notice.

The reality is the only thing that has ever solved these issues is sustained investment in our youth. That’s why I have consistently voted against the youth curfew bill, and I stand by my decision not to support an emergency measure now. Instead, I’m using the budget that’s currently before the Council to fund late evening hours and programming at recreation centers, and connect more participants to the Pathways Program to intervene and reduce gun violence. My message to leaders in government who claim to want to address the youth safety issue is: fund the Credible Messengers grants, increase funding to Pathways and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement violence prevention programs, fund Family Success Centers and get to work before the permanent curfew law sunsets in 2028.