Authorities are cracking down and taking different approaches to prevent "teen takeovers" from turning violent ahead of the summer season, while many young people are on school break.
Recent "teen takeovers" have prompted police responses across the country, with authorities clearing crowds over Memorial Day weekend in Chicago and federal prosecutors calling for prosecuting teens' parents in Washington, D.C.
In Clearwater, Florida, a "teen takeover" on May 31, which started as a peaceful gathering of young people at the beach, grew to over 500 teens and resulted in an "altercation" in which a 17-year-old victim was shot, according to police. The victim sustained injuries that were not life-threatening and the suspected shooter has since been arrested, police said.
Michael Walek, the Clearwater Police Department deputy chief, told ABC News, the large gatherings of teens are often organized and spread through social media, and Sunday's event even attracted young people from counties outside of Pinellas County.
"It's a trend that's going around on social media right now, and it seems to be gaining attention," Walek said, adding that it's a national trend. "You can look in Miami, Chicago, New York, Tampa, they're everywhere."
Police in Clearwater said they've identified 11 "teen takeovers" this year so far and anticipate more being organized.
"The Clearwater Police Department is up staffing the beach Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to show that we mean business," Walek said. "We will be also joined by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office to show that this type of [disorderly or violent] behavior is not going to be tolerated."
In Washington, D.C., the Metropolitan Police Department said it has also been enforcing "juvenile curfew zones" at night in an effort to deter teen takeovers.
"Since July 2025, MPD has established Juvenile Curfew Zones across the city to deter large juvenile gatherings that have led to disorderly conduct, property damage, and, in some cases, violent crime," MPD said in part in a statement to ABC News. "MPD's goal with these curfew zones is to gain general compliance to ensure the city's youth get home safe, and that is what we've seen in past established zones."
Police in Tampa, Florida, said they responded to a "teen takeover" at a Tampa park on May 9 and arrested 22 young people between the ages of 12 and 21 following fights and disruptions. Some of those arrested faced charges such as possession of narcotics, resisting without violence and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to police.
The department told ABC News it is actively "monitoring social media, engaging with our partner law enforcement agencies and our community while utilizing investigative techniques" to find and potentially stop takeover gatherings.
In Chicago, where crowds of teens prompted a police response over Memorial Day weekend, a nonprofit organization, Season to Soar, has hosted events and talks about "teen takeovers," inviting youth to share why they go to the large gatherings and discuss possible ways to keep the events free of destruction, harm or violence.
"Season to Soar's programming has shown that youth are open to speaking when given the opportunity and when they feel safe," the organization told ABC News in a statement. "Creating environments that allow them to not feel judged and allow them to speak openly will help both partners, community leaders and elected officials gain visibility into the core social and economic issues that youth are facing that are contributing to their participation in takeovers."
According to Season to Soar, young people have reported the takeover events, advertised on flyers and social media, are meant to be fun social events but some have used events to "confront people they have conflict with" or participate in "risky behavior" like drinking and using drugs.
Season to Soar said it is working with other nonprofits and community organizers to offer teens "alternative activities, violence mediation, jobs and more" to address the concerns behind "teen takeovers."
The Tampa Police Department said it's also working to provide alternatives for young people. The agency teamed up with community partners to host a "Takeover with a Purpose" event last month and is also hosting Midnight Basketball events and promoting programs with the Police Athletic League and City of Tampa Stay and Play programs that will run during the summer months.
Kristin Henning, a professor of law and director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic & Initiative at Georgetown Law, told ABC News "teen takeovers" aren't necessarily gatherings that parents and community members need to discourage or be afraid of.
"There is nothing inherently, dangerous or problematic about a teen takeover. Unfortunately, they have gotten a bad rap because of the very small number of young people who engage in some sort of delinquent behavior at these events," Henning said via email.
Henning recommends communities work together to make "teen takeovers" and alternative events a safe space for all children and a place they can build their interpersonal skills and make new connections.
"We have to make sure that every child has a safe space where they can just be a kid," said Henning. "That means we need parks, recreation centers, movie theaters, skating rinks, and other social settings that are accessible to all children in the city regardless of race and socioeconomic class."
