The hours of the downtown Los Angeles curfew, which has been in effect since last week due to persistent protests against immigration raids, will change starting Monday night to 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to Mayor Karen Bass.
The curfew affecting the Civic Center, Chinatown, Little Tokyo and other nearby communities had been in effect nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Bass cited “successful crime prevention and suppression efforts” as the reason for the shift in the curfew’s start time.
“The curfew, coupled with ongoing crime prevention efforts, have been largely successful in protecting stores, restaurants, businesses and residential communities from bad actors who do not care about the immigrant community,” Bass said in a statement.
“Today, I am narrowing the curfew as we continue to quickly adjust to changing posturing out of Washington,” she added. “I want the Downtown Los Angeles community of residents, business owners and events venues to know that my priority will continue to be ensuring safety, stability and support in the Downtown neighborhoods.”
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell in a statement echoed Bass’ comments, adding that the adjusted curfew “reflects the progress we’ve made in reducing crime and vandalism” in the zone.
“That said, we’re not letting our guard down,” McDonnell said. “The LAPD will maintain a strong presence in the downtown area to ensure the safety of residents, businesses and demonstrators alike.”
Ten officers have been injured and 575 people have been arrested since the protests against immigration enforcement began in downtown Los Angeles, police said Monday.
The overnight period from Sunday to Monday was comparatively calm, with no arrests reported, according to the LAPD.
City Council members Ysabel Jurado and Eunisses Hernandez, who represent neighborhoods within the curfew zone, supported the mayor’s decision.
Jurado called it a “step in the right direction.” Hernandez emphasized that the city will remain focused on protecting the immigrant community and defending the constitutional rights of all Angelenos.
Nella McOsker, president and CEO of the Central City Association, which represents downtown businesses, issued a statement supporting the updated curfew and calling for additional public safety measures.
“The City must act now with long-term plans that balance public safety and economic vitality by also establishing clear protocols to proactively manage unrest, ensuring Downtown stays open, stable, and thriving for the people who depend on it,” McOsker said.
Meanwhile, the City Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss the mayor’s declaration of a local emergency, which she used to enact the curfew. Council members may take steps to ratify and extend it.
Bass had said there was no “termination date” for the curfew during a Friday news conference. She reported that it was “making a difference” in curtailing criminal activity.
Protests erupted on June 6 after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began detaining migrants in the city. While most demonstrations have remained peaceful, police and city officials said that some gatherings turned destructive after dark, with looting and vandalism blamed on so-called “bad actors.”‘
On the fifth day of protests, Mayor Bass declared a local emergency in downtown and imposed the curfew.
“We are hoping that if the cause of the turmoil ends, which is stopping the raids, then I can almost guarantee you that curfew will go away,” Bass previously said.Immigration enforcement operations are expected to continue across Los Angeles County.
President Donald Trump issued additional guidance Sunday on immigration enforcement to focus on Democrat-run cities, while scaling back operations at farms, hotels and restaurants.