Mayor Karen Bass lifts downtown Los Angeles curfew

Shortly after the Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to ratify the downtown curfew enacted earlier this month, Mayor Karen Bass announced that the order had been lifted.

The curfew, which had restricted movement from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., was originally enacted on June 10 in response to violence, as well as vandalism and looting of businesses tied to protests over immigration enforcement raids.

It applied to a roughly eight-square-mile area including parts of Chinatown, Little Tokyo, the Fashion District, and the Arts District.

In a statement Tuesday, Bass said the decision to lift the curfew was based on “continuing successful crime prevention and suppression efforts.”

“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 said.

Bass added: “I am lifting the curfew effective today, and as we continue quickly adapting to chaos coming from Washington, and I will be prepared to reissue a curfew if needed. My priority will continue to be ensuring safety, stability and support in the Downtown neighborhoods.”

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the curfew has been effective in deterring criminal activity but that officers would continue to monitor the area and maintain a visible presence.

“The curfew has been an effective tool in helping us maintain public safety in the Downtown Los Angeles area and deter those looking to exploit peaceful protests for criminal activity,” McDonnell said. “The LAPD will maintain a strong presence in the area and continue to monitor conditions closely to protect lives, uphold the right to lawful assembly, and safeguard property.”

On Monday, Bass had shortened the curfew by two hours, moving the start time from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., before lifting it entirely the next day.

Earlier Tuesday, the City Council voted 15-0 to formally ratify the curfew. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who represents portions of downtown, introduced an amendment to revisit the matter on July 1, which was also approved.