SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
all public housing properties this summer.
Residents living in Huntsville’s public housing communities will face a newly imposed summer curfew starting this week, following two fatal shootings that prompted the city’s housing authority to take sweeping security action.
According to a lease addendum dated June 5, the Huntsville Housing Authority (HHA) is requiring all residents in its facilities — roughly 3,000 households — to remain indoors during set nighttime hours, effective Monday, June 10 through September 30. Residents were required to sign the curfew agreement by 5 p.m. Monday.
Shootings Prompt Swift Action
The curfew follows a pair of violent incidents that shook the LR Patton Community, a Huntsville public housing complex.
• On May 25, 34-year-old Alexander Dominique Dennis Sr. was killed in a shooting.
• Just five days later, on May 30, 21-year-old Tyrek Keshun Norris was fatally shot in the same neighborhood.
In the aftermath, HHA leadership moved quickly to implement new safety protocols.
“Most of the individuals involved in the recent incidents did not reside within the community,” said Executive Director Antonio McGinnis. “The goal is to ensure the safety of residents and to prevent individuals who do not live here from causing disturbances.”
McGinnis added that the curfew is part of a broader effort that includes enhanced lighting, surveillance cameras, controlled access, and increased police presence across affected areas.
Scope of the Curfew
The curfew applies to all outdoor areas within HHA-managed properties, including porches, balconies, walkways, courtyards, stairwells, and parking lots. The following schedule is now in effect:
• Sunday through Thursday: Residents must stay indoors from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Friday and Saturday: Indoor hours extend from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
“Residents and their guests are allowed to come and go but are not allowed to casually hang out,” the lease addendum states. “They may not be present outdoors or on porches unless a valid exception applies.”
Curfew exceptions include verified work obligations, emergencies, or other approved reasons.
Consequences for Violations
Residents found breaking the curfew could face:
• Written warnings
• Fines or penalties at management’s discretion
• Lease termination in cases of repeated or serious violations
A Message from the Authority
In a statement accompanying the lease addendum, HHA explained its rationale:
“In light of the recent criminal activity in and around our communities and with the safety and well-being of our residents as our top priority, HHA has made the decision to implement a curfew for all residents across the Authority,” the letter read.
“This temporary measure will be enforced during the summer months to help prevent adverse environments and promote a safer living experience for everyone.”
While the housing authority has not held a formal press conference, its leadership has signaled that additional changes may follow as it continues reassessing its safety protocols citywide.