Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced on Monday an extension of the emergency curfew in parts of downtown, moving the start time from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. starting June 16, citing successful crime prevention measures.
The curfew will remain in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and applies to various neighborhoods in downtown, including portions of Chinatown, Little Tokyo, the Fashion District, and the Arts District.
Bass initially imposed the curfew on June 10 in response to rising vandalism and public safety worries following protests against immigration raids.
In her statement, Bass emphasized the need to adapt to the conditions on the ground.
“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,” she stated.
She further expressed her commitment to ensuring safety and stability for residents, business owners, and event venues in downtown Los Angeles.
Before Monday’s announcement, some local business leaders and downtown associations had raised alarms over the early curfew’s impact on commerce and foot traffic.
Nolan A. Marshall III, the president and CEO of The Social District — DTLA’s rebranded South Park Business Improvement District — had urged city officials to reconsider the curfew due to the negative consequences for businesses and their employees.
In a letter shared publicly, he wrote, “While the damage from looting was clear and observable, the harm to restaurants and their staffs caused by loss of patronage is equally damaging.”
Marshall highlighted the long-term reputational damage for Downtown Los Angeles, suggesting the perception that it is overrun with crime could hinder its recovery as a social and residential hub post-pandemic.
As the curfew remains a polarizing topic, opinions were divided between those who wanted it lifted and those who supported its implementation.
Nella McOsker, president and CEO of the Central City Association, had earlier advocated for the curfew’s enactment due to concerns over public safety and vandalism during protests.
Following the announcement to push the start time back, she welcomed the decision.
“This is a step in the right direction for opening downtown L.A. back up for visitors, for patrons to restaurants and shows and entertainment experiences,” McOsker stated in a phone interview.
She noted the importance of eventually lifting the curfew but emphasized the need for a balanced approach between ensuring public safety and allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the area.
The duration of the dusk-to-dawn curfew is uncertain as protests persist in the downtown area — though they are significantly smaller than prior demonstrations.
The City Council is scheduled to discuss the curfew at its next meeting and consider whether to ratify and extend it after City Council members convene on Tuesday.
Bass previously indicated there was no set termination date for the curfew, stating it was effectively reducing criminal activity.
Protests had surged on June 6 after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents began detaining individuals in Los Angeles. While the majority of the demonstrations remained peaceful, law enforcement noted that some gatherings turned chaotic at night, resulting in looting and vandalism by individuals identified as “bad actors.”
The mayor declared a local emergency in downtown on the fifth day of protests, initially establishing a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Bass expressed hope that if the raids halt, the curfew could also be lifted.
“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,” she said.
Some regulations related to the curfew have been relaxed, including allowing certain theatrical performances to resume within the curfew area.
“The Los Angeles Mayor’s Office has updated guidance on the downtown L.A.-area curfew and has granted an exception to allow individuals with tickets to an indoor venue to attend that event as scheduled,” a statement from the managing group of the L.A. Music Center reported.
However, local business and resident organizations continue to advocate for the immediate lifting of the curfew.
The Social District urged stakeholders to communicate with city officials about the ongoing economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter, they stated the need to reconsider the perception that downtown is frequented by criminals.
“While the damage from looting was clear and observable, the harm to restaurants and their staffs caused by loss of patronage is equally damaging,” the group emphasized.
They continued, “Policy in response to civil unrest has to strike a balance between the potential losses from property damage and looting, and the ongoing loss realized by workers and businesses as a result of the curfew.”
The letter indicated a tipping point had been reached, asserting that the economic repercussions of the curfew outweighed the need for such emergency measures.
Additionally, the DLTA Residents Association conducted a survey revealing that 84% of respondents opposed the continuation of the 8 p.m. curfew.
Among those surveyed, 43% wished for the complete lifting of the curfew, while 41% supported gradually phasing it out by moving to a later start time.
Only 9% of participants in the survey expressed a desire to maintain the existing curfew.
The association shared their findings in correspondence with city leaders, cautioning that continued protests and unrest may further impact the quality of life for residents and the local economy.
Cassy Horton, co-founder of the DTLA Residents Association, noted, “Many residents do feel like the curfew was an effective tool in response to Monday’s serious looting and unrest, and that it likely was helpful yesterday given the crowd size and broader context, but moving forward, the damage will far outweigh the good for our community.”
Despite some disruptions caused by weekend protests, most scheduled evening performances are anticipated to resume this week at venues including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The Broad museum, which had closed due to safety concerns, is expected to reopen on Tuesday.
There are exceptions to the curfew for various groups, including first responders, local residents, workers in the area, media representatives, and homeless individuals.
Federalized National Guard and Marine Corps personnel present in the area remain governed by directives from President Donald Trump, who recently deployed them following community demonstrations.
Bass and local leaders have challenged assertions made by Trump and others that the city is under siege by violence, leading to the decision to bring in military support, consisting of approximately 4,000 federalized National Guard troops and 700 active-duty Marines.
Amid ongoing protests, ICE operations are expected to continue in the region, with a broader enforcement strategy aimed at cities led by Democratic officials, according to guidance from the Trump administration.
The president emphasized the administration’s objective to expand efforts to detain and deport undocumented immigrants, particularly in cities with significant populations of illegal residents.
As tensions persist, protesters have returned to the streets of downtown Los Angeles, continuing to voice opposition against Trump’s immigration crackdown and several other policies.
Community sentiments remain mixed as the city grapples with issues of public safety, economic recovery, and the impact of ongoing protests.
image source from：https://www.sbsun.com/2025/06/16/la-city-council-to-consider-extending-bass-curfew-in-downtown-la/
