Miami curfew was imposed by authorities on Wednesday for children and teenagers under age 17.

The City of Miami Police Department began strictly enforcing the teen curfew on Feb. 27, after the city has been plagued with crime and shootings this past few weeks.

However, the authorities insist that this enforcement of the Miami curfew is not a response to the recent series of shootings.

Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has said that Miami-Dade has experienced seven shootings since last Wednesday, adding, "This has been one of the bloodiest weeks in history for our children here in Miami-Dade."

This past weekend, Miami-Dade County experienced the death of at least three teenagers, two shot in drive-by crimes, according to the Miami Herald.

Willie Moreno, Miami Police Department spokesman, says that police have enforced the curfew often within the last few years, and insists that this recent crackdown is not due to a large number of recent gun crimes.

He claimed, "It's normally done when kids are out of school, and we've done it before...usually during the summer months."

"That's when kids tend to stay out later and later."

Moreno noted that Miami-Dade students will soon enter the spring break period of their school year, which could lead to them staying out late at night.

According to the Juvenile Curfew Ordinance, children younger than 17 are not allowed to be out on their own in Miami-Dade County between 11:00pm and 6:00am from Sunday through Thursday.

On Friday and Saturday, curfew hours are reduced; the period of time is between midnight and 6:00 am.

However, there are certain exceptions to the curfew.

One such exception is being accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or someone 21 or over with permission to be responsible for the minor.

Other exceptions include working or traveling to and from work; having written permission by a parent or guardian to run an errand; aiding or assisting in an emergency; travelling to or from school, religious, civic, or county-sponsored event; if the juvenile is emancipated; attending or returning from a public event if the event began before 10:00 pm; and being authorized by the County Commission, according to the Miami Herald.