Yes.
Madison had a curfew for at least a decade before repealing it in March 2023, though it’s reentering public discussion after large fights.
Until three years ago, Madison ordinances barred youth under age 17 from streets between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. on school nights and 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. on weekend nights. Exceptions included going to and from work and school activities.
The Madison City Council voted 13-5 to repeal the ordinance. At the time, the Madison Police Department had issued just three tickets for curfew violations across several years and said teens usually went home when told about the curfew.
But police are again considering options like a curfew or age restrictions following large fights on State Street after the annual Mifflin Street Block Party. Police recovered two guns after breaking up the fights.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- City of Madison Ordinances: Section 23.11
- City of Madison Legistar: Repeal Curfew for Juveniles
- Fox 47: Parents vocal online about Madison Common Council’s decision to remove curfew for teens
- Channel 3000: Madison police discussing ways to curb teen fights
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Six guns recovered, dozens arrested after Mifflin Street Block Party
