Since 2023, the town of Nashville has taken action to address late-night disturbances involving unsupervised teenagers.
The town has had a curfew in place for teenagers for over a year. That decision came after a surge of disturbances, car break-ins and shootings.
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Concerned by the escalating situation, town leaders sought the curfew as a solution to ensure public safety and well-being.
Police chief Caleb Shockley proposed a curfew as a proactive measure. Following discussions and public hearings to gather community input, the Nashville Town Council approved the ordinance.
The newly implemented curfew establishes different time restrictions based on age. Individuals younger than 13 are now required to be home between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. For those aged 16 and 17, the curfew is in effect from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Since the curfew went into effect, Shockley reported a noticeable decrease in late-night disturbances.
“I think we've issued very little verbal warnings and we've had to charge no one,” Shockley said. "We made sure the Nashville citizens were aware of it."
Town officials are hopeful that the curfew will continue to foster a safer environment for all residents of Nashville.
The police department will work a carnival in town this weekend.
This update comes at a time when the city of Fayetteville made a decision to pass a curfew in response to concerns about unsupervised teenagers. In the Triangle, popular malls like Crabtree Valley Mall, The Streets at Southpoint and Triangle Town Center also have restrictions in places for unsupervised teens.
At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Fayetteville, Roanoke Rapids, Franklin County and Halifax County all imposed curfews.