Curfew patrols to be increased starting Friday

Newport Beach police on Friday will ramp up enforcement of the city’s 10 p.m. juvenile curfew.

Officers are responding to an increase in thefts committed by minors, the Police Department said in a Tuesday press release.

Plus, with school letting out for summer soon, more children are expected to be out and about.

Police often see an uptick in thefts committed by minors during school breaks, including those in spring and summer, said Sgt. Steve Burdette.

Curfew is 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

“Part of this is for the security of kids as well,” Burdette said.

Officers will use their discretion for each case, but may resort to taking minors suspected of violating curfew to the station, where parents would be summoned to pick up their children, Burdette said.

— Lauren Williams