Detroit Police launch new initiative to enforce curfew laws; officers hope to stem crime

DETROIT (WXYZ) - Stopping crime before it happens. That’s the goal of a new program being launched by the Detroit Police Department. The idea is to emphasize enforcement of existing curfew laws in the city.

It’s called “Operation Pick Up.”

The man in charge of Operation Pick Up, Inspector Don Johnson, who also heads up a number of other divisions at DPD, says it’s about holding kids and their parents accountable.

“We want to get ahead of the curve. We know we're going to have a very busy summer. We definitely want to engage the kids in a positive way, but we also want the kids and their parents - especially - to understand that moving forward, we are taking the city back," Detroit Police Inspector Don Johnson said.

Officers from the tactical squad along with colleagues from across the department will conduct regular, random sweeps of city streets looking for anyone who might be underage and out too late.

City code dictates that for kids 15 and under they must be at home by 10 p.m., or be accompanied by an adult. For 16 and 17 year olds, they must be inside by 11 p.m., or be joined by a guardian.

Minors who violate curfew face fines – and so will their parents.