Key Information About the Curfew Extension
- Extended curfew hours: 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM daily for all persons under 18 years of age
- Extension period: The curfew has been extended from March 9 until March 31, 2025
- Exceptions: Minors accompanied by parents/guardians, attending work/school activities, or during emergencies
- Reporting information: Call (520) 562-4511 or silent witness at (520) 562-7144 to report suspicious activity
Location of the Gila River Indian Community
The Gila River Indian Community is an Indian reservation located in the northwestern part of Pinal County, Arizona, adjacent to the south side of Phoenix and Chandler. The reservation spans both Pinal and Maricopa counties with a population of over 14,000 residents according to the 2020 Census. The community consists of seven districts along the Gila River, with Sacaton serving as the administrative center.
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Curfew Extension Details
On March 7, 2025, Governor Stephen Roe Lewis issued an executive order extending the enhanced curfew for minors that was originally set to expire on Sunday, March 9, 2025. The curfew will now remain in effect until Monday, March 31, 2025.
The Gila River Community Code generally prohibits minors from being in public between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM, but the executive order enforces an enhanced curfew from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM until March 31, 2025, due to ongoing safety concerns.
In the executive order, Governor Lewis stated that “since February 25, when the enhanced curfew was implemented, conditions have improved, but threats to public safety remain and calls of shots fired in neighborhoods continue.” The order also emphasized that “because much of the violence has taken place at night, we must continue a temporary enhanced curfew.”
Original Curfew Implementation
On February 24, 2025, Governor Stephen Roe Lewis declared a public safety emergency and imposed an enhanced curfew starting February 25. Originally set to expire on March 9, the curfew was extended on March 8 to remain in effect until March 31, 2025.
The emergency curfew was implemented in response to increasing reports of gunfire and violence, particularly a drive-by shooting that occurred on February 19 near Main Street and Sacaton Road in Sacaton. According to police reports, several houses were struck during this incident.
History of Safety Concerns
The current safety measures follow a tragic incident from June 1, 2024, when Gila River Police Department officers responded to a disturbance at a home in Santan, District 4. As officers attempted to address the situation involving a large crowd, multiple gunshots were fired. Two GRPD officers were struck by gunfire, along with four individuals at the scene.
Officer Joshua Briese, who had been with the department for less than a year and was still in Field Training, died as a result of his injuries. Another officer was left in serious but stable condition, and at least one community member was also pronounced deceased.
Following the tragic events of June 1, 2024, where multiple individuals, including Officer Joshua Briese, were shot, the Community Council implemented a moratorium on all dances. This ban includes both permitted and non-permitted dances and prohibits amplified music. The moratorium remains in effect as of December 24, 2024, with police continuing to enforce it.
Gun-Related Incidents
The Gila River Police Department has made multiple public announcements in recent months regarding the dangers of gun violence in the community. On February 19 and 21, 2025, police issued statements about the rise in reports of gunshots fired throughout the community, warning residents that “what goes up must come down – these stray bullets can cause serious injury or even death, putting our families, children, and elders at risk.”
This concern extends back to December 31, 2024, when police reminded community members that celebratory gunfire is illegal and highly dangerous, urging residents to “celebrate responsibly and make safety a priority.”
The Gila River Police Department is actively investigating the February 19 drive-by shooting and has urged community members to share any information, videos, or witness accounts. Residents can contact (520) 562-4511 or submit anonymous tips through Silent Witness at (520) 562-7144.
Executive Order Summary
Under the extended executive order, all persons under 18 years of age continue to be prohibited from being present in public places or public buildings on the Gila River Indian Reservation between 7:00 PM and 5:00 AM each night until March 31, 2025.
The order specifies several exceptions to the curfew:
- Minors accompanied by a parent or guardian
- Emergencies, including seeking medical care
- Employment, either on or off the Gila River Indian Reservation
- Attending school, a school or Community-sponsored event, or an official after-school program or sporting event or practice
The Gila River Police Department has been instructed to strictly enforce the curfew, with potential civil or criminal penalties for violations. Law enforcement will also investigate cases where adults contribute to minors violating curfew.
Crime Statistics
The need for enhanced safety measures is supported by recent crime statistics. The Gila River Police Department responded to 5,731 calls for service in January 2025 across all seven districts of the reservation, including 3,466 citizen-initiated calls and 2,265 officer-initiated calls.
Future Expectations
As the extended curfew remains in effect until March 31, community members are encouraged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities. The Gila River Police Department continues to investigate the February 19 drive-by shooting and is seeking the public’s assistance with information, videos, or witness accounts.
Parents and guardians are urged to ensure that minors adhere to the curfew regulations and to discuss the importance of these safety measures with their children. As stated in the executive order, “parents and guardians are urged to ensure that minors are home by the curfew.”
Community officials will continue to monitor safety conditions and determine whether further extensions or modifications to the curfew are necessary after March 31, 2025. This decision will be based on crime trends, ongoing investigations, and the overall effectiveness of the curfew in reducing gun-related violence.
