Success Academy To Serve As Curfew Center

The school inside Baltimore's education administration headquarters will serve as a curfew center this spring and summer as part of a multi-agency effort to prevent youth violence, officials announced Wednesday. Mayor Sheila Dixon, Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III, schools chief Andr?s Alonso, Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Donald W. DeVore and Baltimore Department of Social Services Director Molly McGrath gathered at the school, Success Academy, to announce the opening of the Baltimore Summer Curfew Center.

Starting this week through late August, youth younger than 17 picked up by police between midnight and 4 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays will be transported to the curfew center at Success Academy, a school for students on long-term suspension at 200 E. North Ave.

Workers will assess the school, criminal and social service records of curfew violators, providing them with a snack as their parents or case workers are contacted.

As of June 18, the curfew center will also be open Thursday nights through the summer, starting at 11. The city curfew law is in effect from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. weeknights and midnight to 4 a.m. weekends. Youth outside during those hours must be accompanied by an adult. Last year, a similar curfew center housed at Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary drew about 50 children per night.