Florida International University
Sponsors of the annual “Battle of the DJs” on July 4 will work with police to make certain participants don’t violate Miami’s teen curfew rules.
The event at the National Guard Armory, 700 NW 28th St., will set DJs from across South Florida fighting for the title “Best DJ.”
The 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. event could have bumped up against the 11 p.m. curfew for youth under age 18, which Miami police began enforcing last month in an effort to reduce street violence.
“We know the rules,” said Brindley Marshall, aka “DJ Bo the Lover, of Hot 97.7 FM, an unlicensed “pirate” radio station based in Liberty City.
“We’ve been doing this event for over 25 years, and the last thing we want is to ruin our name.”
To accommodate curfew requirements, the event will start at 2 p.m. outside the complex and will continue until 9 p.m. It will then move inside for an after-party until 2 a.m.
Under the curfew plan, after-party goers will be required to show ID before entering, and bracelets will be given to anyone over 18. Those without ID will be asked to leave. The bash will pause briefly before the curfew hour so underage participants can leave.
“Before 11 p.m., lights must turn on and the under aged kids have to go home,” Miami Police Major Craig McQueen said. “We don’t want any kids lingering in the corners and being exposed to unnecessary violence.”
Young people accompanied by parents or legal guardians will be able to stay past 11 p.m. Youth accompanied by someone over 21 who is not an immediate family member will need written permission from a parent or guardian.
“I expect to have a fun time and bring my family so we can go home and talk about it,” said David Lester, 16, a student at Miami Northwestern Senior High School.
“Safety comes first,” Marshall said. “That’s why we’ll spend crazy money on law enforcement to make sure it stays that way.”
LSast003@Fiu.edu
Photo: DJ Bo the Lover
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