A city in Massachusetts with a large Cape Verdean community has imposed a temporary curfew ahead of a historic World Cup match between Cape Verde and Argentina. The curfew will be in effect from 10 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. on Saturday.
The decision to impose the curfew was made by city officials due to concerns over recent World Cup celebrations that led to dangerous and unlawful behavior. The city said that these celebrations resulted in incidents of reckless driving, illegal street gatherings, vandalism, assaults, fireworks violations, disorderly conduct, and other criminal activities.
Brockton, the city where the curfew is being imposed, is home to one of the largest Cape Verdean communities in the United States, with nearly one in four residents identifying as Cape Verdean. The city's police department has been dealing with the aftermath of previous World Cup matches, including shootings that erupted during post-game celebrations.
The curfew order prohibits people from entering establishments serving alcohol after 7 p.m. Patrons already inside will be allowed to remain until 10 p.m., but "last calls" for alcoholic beverages must end by 9:30 p.m. The city has stated that only limited exceptions to the curfew will be permitted, including for law enforcement officers, individuals traveling to or from work, those seeking medical care, and those responding to emergencies.
The city describes the curfew as a public safety measure intended to preserve public order. The goal is to protect public safety, reduce criminal activity associated with post-match celebrations, and enable police, fire, and emergency personnel to effectively maintain order and respond to emergencies.
Residents and visitors are being urged to celebrate responsibly, obey all laws, avoid unlawful gatherings, and cooperate with public safety officials to ensure that all World Cup celebrations remain peaceful and safe.
