Lynchburg makes curfew violation a misdemeanor offense, starting Tuesday night

LYNCHBURG, Va. – What was originally announced as a voluntary curfew has now been given teeth, but not until tomorrow.

Starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Lynchburg police have the authority to enforce a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The curfew was announced Monday afternoon, and although the curfew is in effect Monday night, police will not be enforcing it.

Beginning Tuesday night, curfew violations will be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Under the curfew, people should not be present on any street, road and park with the following exceptions:

• People traveling to and from home, work, or places of worship
• Hospital personnel
• Members of the press
• State and City of Lynchburg employees and volunteers
• Military personnel including, but not limited to, National Guard troops
• Employees of public utility companies
• Private emergency medical transport workers
• Persons seeking emergency services
• Homeless persons

ORIGINAL STORY

A voluntary curfew is now in effect in the city of Lynchburg after a night of violence in the city.

The curfew goes into effect at 8 p.m. and lasts until 6 a.m. and people are being asked to remain home during that time.

City Manager Betty Svreck said the city is working to gain the ability to instate a mandatory curfew, but right now, it doesn’t have the authority to do so

In addition to the curfew, the city announced a local state of emergency, which shall stay in place until further notice and action by city council, according Svreck.

Police Chief Ryan Zuidema spoke during the Monday afternoon news conference and addressed a few issues.

• He directly called what happened last night a riot, saying there’s a difference between protests and riots
• There will be a heavy police presence Monday night and for the foreseeable future to curb any future riots
• Police will be seeking additional charges on additional individuals to those who have already been arrested
• With regards to the militia members who were in Lynchburg last night. Police did not invite them, nor ask them for help
• At times, police told them to remain inside the Fifth and Federal restaurant
• Police are investigating the claim that shots were fired from the roof by a member of the militia
• Authorities could hear about 8-10 shots that were not fired by militia members or police.

Watch Monday’s full news conference below: