VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The all-age curfew at the Oceanfront has been halted after a judge granted a restraining order against the measure on Thursday, according to News 3 reporter John Hood.
This development came after five Oceanfront businesses joined together to file a temporary restraining order to block the enforcement of the curfew. This move halts the last night of the temporary 9:30 p.m. curfew at the Oceanfront, which would have been on Friday.
The 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors on Fridays and Saturdays in designated areas of the Oceanfront will remain in effect.
News 3 has reached out to the City of Virginia Beach for a comment on this temporary restraining order, check back with us for updates.
Watch previous coverage: Virginia Beach leaders vote 10-1 to approve temporary 9:30 p.m. all-age Oceanfront curfew
On April 16, Virginia Beach city leaders voted 10-1 to impose this all-age curfew following the April 11 shooting at the Oceanfront that left eight injured. The curfew included areas from Rudee Loop to 31st Street, with exceptions for diners, hotel guests or attendees of other designated events in the area.
Another legal proceeding against the curfew — separate from the one that prompted the temporary restraining order being granted — was led by Virginia Beach lawyer Tim Anderson. Last week, he filed a protective order against the measure, naming Lisa Lawrence as the plaintiff. On April 21, a judge struck this case, arguing that Lawrence didn't have a harm that could be articulated differently from the public since she technically didn't live in the curfew zone.
In an interview with News 3, Anderson said he plans to refile his case against the curfew, naming Stephanie Vann as the new plaintiff. Anderson said Vann lives inside the impacted area and was one of three people arrested for violating the curfew over the weekend. He said he will ask for another emergency hearing this week.
On Friday, Anderson cited Virginia's status as a "Dillon Rule" state as the basis for his lawsuit challenging the stricter Oceanfront curfew. In a post made on social media, Anderson also pointed to SB1455 as a reason why the new curfew is unlawful.
In response to Anderson's initial filing against the curfew last week, the City of Virginia Beach issued the following statement to News 3:
“The City of Virginia Beach is aware of the lawsuit filed regarding the recently adopted curfew ordinance, and we intend to defend it. Our focus remains on ensuring public safety at the Oceanfront.”
