The Detroit City Council set a public hearing to determine whether to extend the curfew for minors on the night of the Ford Fireworks, a move that is not entirely new for the big annual event.
Despite the measure taking place in the wake of the “Teen Takeover” national trend — where large groups of teenagers crowd downtown, some causing mayhem, resulting in heavy police response — the ordinance officials are mulling is not directly related to those events and is specifically for the Monday, June 22 Ford Fireworks.
The city has issued a similar ordinance for the fireworks show for several years in a row.
The council set a public hearing for Monday, June 15 in the Public Health and Safety standing committee, which would then be sent to a formal session for approval.
Enforcement that night would run from 8 p.m. on Monday, June 22 through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, if approved. The city’s curfew for those 15 years old and under is from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for teens under 17 years old.
Detroit Police Department officials on Tuesday, June 2 reinforced to council members that the ordinance is not in response to the teen takeover trend, and is just part of the annual request DPD makes for a one-day curfew specific to the fireworks.
Enforcement would apply in the area bounded by the Detroit River, Third Street, the Lodge Freeway (M-10), Fisher Freeway (Interstate 75), the extension of the Fisher Freeway (I-75) east to Gratiot Avenue, Gratiot Avenue, Vernor Highway, Chene Street, Atwater Street and the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater, according to the ordinance.
In addition to Belle Isle, Hart Plaza and Spirit Plaza, DPD’s 1st Assistant Chief Franklin Hayes on June 1 told the council at least three spots along the riverfront will open up for visitors to catch the show. Those locations include Erma Henderson Park, Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, as well as access to the RiverWalk.
However, visitors who wish to watch from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park will have to secure tickets from community groups, according to a Tuesday statement from the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, which still is finalizing a list.
“Access will be available to preregistered guests only, who will receive free tickets through local community groups in and around southwest Detroit and Corktown. There will be no general admission to view the fireworks at Ralph Wilson Park,” said Marc Pasco, director of public relations for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.
Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit City Council mulling early curfew for 2026 Ford Fireworks
Reporting by Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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