Cities in the United States are imposing curfews and increasing police patrols for the summer as violent 'teen takeovers' sweep across the country.
Police in cities stretching from Washington DC to Long Branch, New Jersey and Detroit, Michigan have responded in recent months to chaotic scenes after hundreds of teens descended on specific locations.
There, cops would find reports of robberies, vandalism and sometimes even gunfire.
Many of those who have engaged in the violent behavior have been arrested, but police are now taking a more proactive response to prevent the violence.
Authorities in some cities have increased patrols and issued curfews.
Others, though, are pushing for expanded youth programs and tougher accountability for parents whose children are caught participating in the violence.
Below, the Daily Mail looks at some of these takeovers and what authorities in those cities are now doing to prevent any further chaos.
Destructive teen takeovers have unfolded in cities across the country. Teenagers here are seen wreaking havoc in Chicago's downtown Loop district in March
The Windy City was gripped with violence on Sunday morning, when five officers were struck by a teenage driver while dispersing crowds that had gathered for a 'teen takeover.'
Chicago Police Department officers were on foot dispersing a large crowd of juveniles that had gathered on South Loomis Street at around 3.20am when they were struck by an unidentified driver in a blue car, ABC 7 reports.
The driver then drove over the curb, crashed into a Chicago Police Department squad car, a pole and a fence.
The 18-year-old driver was not injured in the crash, and was taken into custody as authorities later searched the vehicle and found a gun inside.
Meanwhile, all five officers who were struck by the vehicle were taken to a local hospital, and were expected to recover.
The city has faced several of these takeovers in recent months, with shocking footage capturing about a dozen teens surrounding a police vehicle as a silver sedan rammed into its front bumper earlier this month.
Just two days later, teens were seen lighting fireworks in a wrecked car in the middle of an intersection.
On March 25, teens also wreaked havoc on the city's downtown Loop district, where a mob was seen violently stomping a shirtless man and flying into a frenzy.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson revised his 2026 summer safety plan to engage with young people, provide them with summer jobs and create safe spaces for teenagers to gather
Private security group Community Intelligence Unit (CIU) reported at least one teen was beaten unconscious, a number of vehicles were destroyed and several people were arrested.
The group also reported that bear mace was used during the melee, and footage showed several rioters appearing to use tasers to zap each other and innocent victims.
In an effort to now crack down on the crime, Mayor Brandon Johnson revised his 2026 summer safety plan to engage with young people, provide them with summer jobs and create safe spaces for teenagers to gather.
'These unauthorized gatherings can be reckless and dangerous, and we want to make sure that their lives are protected,' he said at a news conference.
'The police department is going to do its part, our government entities will do their part,' the mayor continued. 'Now, we're asking every single adult in this city, whether you have birthed a child or not: Our children are our collective responsibility.'
Philanthropist Early Walker also said he is reviving his teen text alerts to alert adults of any potential takeover plans, according to ABC 7.
Over the holiday weekend, authorities also canceled cops' days off to provide more resources in areas like beaches, downtown and business corridors in anticipation of any takeovers.
Some of the most violent and chaotic takeovers have occurred in Washington DC.
On Saturday at around 8.45pm, a large group of youngsters trashed the Navy Yard Chipotle and threw punches at each other on the restaurant floor.
The brawl descended into further chaos as they began to launch the heavy chairs at each other and started climbing over the chain restaurant's furniture.
One teenager, wearing a blue surgical mask with his hood over his head, was seen lifting a wooden high chair over his head and slamming it on another youngster, an online video showed.
Both then picked up another chair each and launched it into the air at each other, as the two chairs collided and fell onto the floor.
Footage also captured a father holding his young daughter and son close to him as they sheltered behind a concrete pillar while the chaos unfolded.
The Metropolitan Police Department later released surveillance images of four juveniles wanted in connection with the melee, while the FBI announced a $500 reward per suspect and the local police offered an additional $1,000 reward for any information leading to arrests and convictions.
A 'teen takeover' on Saturday night saw a large group of young people trashing the Washington, DC Chipotle and throwing punches at each other on the restaurant floor
Nearly 200 teenagers participated in another juvenile takeover in Washington DC's Navy Yard in March
In March, hoards of teenagers were also seen gathering in a park at the Navy Yard, overwhelming the area with fights, robberies and gunfire despite a newly-established juvenile curfew zone.
Police said the crowd began gathering near First Street and New Jersey Avenue Southeast, before quickly swelling to roughly 200 teens by the evening.
Videos shared online showed large groups of black-clad teens running through the streets, screaming and fighting as officers tried to disperse the crowd.
One teenager also fired a gun into the air inside the park, while two others were assaulted and robbed.
Officers ultimately arrested two teenagers and recovered two firearms in the chaos.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro has now vowed to prosecute the parents of any teenagers caught up in the violence.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro has now vowed to prosecute the parents of any teenagers caught up in the violence
'Starting today, my office will aggressively prosecute parents under DC's curfew law. It involves contributing to the delinquency of a minor. This statute makes it unlawful for an adult to enable, facilitate or permit a minor to engage in delinquent acts,' she said at a news conference.
'We're going to charge them, and if you drop your kid off and you fail to supervise them or you let them skip school to join the chaos, you are going to face fines, court-ordered classes and possible jail time.'
Pirro added that parents could face up to six months behind bars and will be fined $400 every time their teenager violates curfew.
'This sends a clear message to the parents that you must supervise your kids or face criminal consequences,' she added.
Downtown Detroit descended into chaos on April 18, when crowds of teens flooded city streets.
Videos shared online showed large groups running through the downtown area as officers moved in to break up the gathering.
Amid the chaos, a gun was fired, but fortunately nobody was injured, Fox News reports.
Multiple teenagers were then detained as police tried to regain control.
The incident came just one day after city leaders and youth organizers discussed the growing takeover trend and called for safer gathering spaces for teens.
Mayor Mary Sheffield said there 'will always be a role for accountability.'
'There will always be expectations for parental responsibility, safety and enforcement. That is a part of keeping our city safe and the overwhelming majority of young people also want a safe experience,' she said at a news conference, according to Detroit News.
'But what I believe deeply and what I heard directly from our young people is that enforcement alone is not the answer... They want to be heard, they want to be part of something and feel like they belong - and that is exactly what this administration is going to do.'
But it is not just the major cities that have become victim to these violent teen takeovers, as police in beach towns across the country report similar incidents.
In Georgia, for example, what started out as an 'unpermitted, pop-up event' on Tybee Island's pier in April saw 'hundreds' of people quickly scattering and running for their lives once the shots had been fired, local police told the Daily Mail.
Video released by Tybee Island police showed dozens of teens sprinting away from the pier, with some leaping over fences to escape the chaos.
Others rushed to parked cars, which included black SUVs, and sped away as panicked screams could be heard.
On Tuesday, hundreds of teenagers also gathered in Long Branch, New Jersey, where multiple fights broke out before nearly 140 officers dispersed the crowd, according to NewsNation.
Video posted online appeared to show hundreds of people crowding Pier Village near Chelsea Avenue Beach, jumping on top of vehicles and running away from cops.
Long Branch police said six people were arrested in connection with the incident, including a 19-year-old woman, a 20-year-old woman and three teenagers, who were all charged with disorderly conduct.
Another teenager was also charged in connection with eluding authorities, PIX 11 reports.
In Georgia what started out as an 'unpermitted, pop-up event' on Tybee Island's pier in April saw 'hundreds' of people quickly scattering and running for their lives once the shots had been fired
Long Branch police warned that anyone who travels to the city to engage in violence or disorder should now expect to be arrested and prosecuted.
The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office also shared on social media that 'This type of disruptive behavior and unlawful activity will not be tolerated.
'Curfews and additional measures will be implemented when necessary and those responsible for violating the law will be held accountable.'
In New Hampshire, a May 19 takeover on Hampton Beach also led to multiple fights and dozens of arrests.
Police Chief Alex Reno said investigators are now reviewing camera footage and following up on a tip suggesting individuals associated with the social media accounts 3Deep Entertainment and banz.1k helped promote the event, Seacoast Online reports.
He said the promoters benefit from social media posts that capture the chaos they help create and often expect to face no consequences for their actions.
But in Hampton Beach, residents can expect to see an increased police presence throughout the summer.
Meanwhile, hundreds of teens also descended on Wisconsin's Bayshore Mall after social media posts advertising a 'takeover' event there went viral, sparking fights and mayhem throughout the shopping center on March 29.
Police had increased security at the mall ahead of the gathering, but were still left overwhelmed as fights broke out across the mall and crowds of teens flooded the shopping plaza.
One video posted online appeared to show a teen shoved through the doors of a Kohl's Department Store as screaming spectators filmed.
Other footage also showed hooded teens running through the plaza throwing punches and fleeing from police.
Authorities arrested more than a dozen people in connection with that takeover on charges ranging from disorderly conduct and battery to resisting an officer.
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