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Social media-fueled teen flash mobs prompt closures of businesses and public centers nationwide
Social media-fueled teen flash mobs prompt closures of businesses and public centers nationwide

Fox News

time21-07-2025

  • Fox News

Social media-fueled teen flash mobs prompt closures of businesses and public centers nationwide

Throughout the country, swaths of dozens — sometimes hundreds — of teens are creating chaos in malls, public pools and other community spaces, with some instances leading to arrests for violent behavior and bans from businesses. On Independence Day weekend, a crowd of hundreds of teens descended on an Illinois pool, disturbing families and partaking in illegal activity that led to the arrest of one individual. Officers with the Glen Ellyn Police Department were called to the local park district's pool at around 5 p.m. July 5 for reports of "a growing crowd of teenagers and young adults" that grew to approximately 200 to 300 individuals, according to a media release. While at the pool, officials observed some of the attendees entering the area without paying, smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol and setting off fireworks, police said. "It seems like a horde of kids have just come in, smoking marijuana, carrying coolers in," a caller told 911 dispatchers, according to WGN9. Witnesses visiting the pool with their children also reported the teens were using speakers to play loud music with inappropriate lyrics, the outlet reported. Body camera footage obtained by Fox News Digital showed officers arriving and attempting to disperse the unruly crowd. In the footage, an officer spoke with an individual identified as the pool manager, who notified him that the group is "not listening to the lifeguards." As the events unfolded, the group allegedly pushed the pool manager into the water. "They just pushed me in," the unidentified woman can be heard saying as the group continued partying. "I need to get them all out." Authorities then began attempting to round up the teens while telling them to leave the pool, leading to verbal altercations between the crowd and officers. "Go home," one officer told the group. "The property is closed." Chaos then erupts as a loud bang is heard when a firework is set off, and officers warned the crowd to leave or face jail. The local pool eventually closed for the day, and one person was taken into custody for setting off fireworks in the area. A similar incident unfolded last week at a California mall, the Brentwood Police Department said in a Facebook post. On July 11, more than 300 juveniles reportedly showed up at a local shopping center, police said. The children "arrived in ride-share vehicles or other means of transportation from outside the area," according to officials. As they descended on the plaza, "several in the group became unruly" and began fighting, knocking items off of shelves inside local businesses and running out into traffic, authorities said. At one point, officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle that resulted in them approaching the driver with guns drawn because they received reports of the individual having a weapon. After a search, no guns were found. Authorities eventually issued dispersal orders as local businesses closed their doors early. One juvenile was arrested for battery on a police officer and four were arrested for various misdemeanor charges, police said. "It was the cops chasing the kids around, the kids fighting and then it just got rowdier and rowdier," an unnamed witness told Fox KTVU. "I mean, my daughter is on social media. She's a teen, and she saw it days before I did, but, yeah, I don't know if the cops thought it was going to be as crazy as it was." The Brentwood Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. The rise in incidents throughout the country is sparking national headlines and concern among parents with their children are out of school for the summer. In the body camera footage released from the events at the Illinois pool, an unidentified girl revealed to an officer that the invitation for the gathering was distributed through TikTok, a seemingly common trend that is concerning experts. "What's happening with large groups of teens overrunning malls and public spaces isn't just 'kids being kids,'" Jonathan Albert, a New York City-based psychotherapist, told Fox News Digital. "It's a symptom of a deeper cultural breakdown, and unless we're willing to address it, these flash mobs will only get worse." Alpert pointed to a growing lack of accountability among younger generations as a contributing factor to the bad behavior sweeping the nation. "As a psychotherapist, I see a generation raised without enough structure," Alpert said. "Too many parents have been afraid to say 'no,' schools hesitate to discipline and society tiptoes around holding young people accountable. The result is exactly what we're seeing play out across our country: Teens testing limits because they haven't learned where those limits are." The use of social media also plays a unique role in not only allowing teens to organize quickly, but encouraging them to act out for online validation, according to Alpert. "Social media has only made it worse," Alpert said. "These gatherings aren't spontaneous. They're staged for likes, shares and clout. The behavior escalates because there are no real consequences." The licensed psychotherapist implores parents, law enforcement and businesses to work together to reach a solution regarding not only holding children accountable, but keeping them safe. "Businesses and communities must crack down with clear, consistent enforcement," Alpert said. "But let's not pretend this is just a policing issue. It's a parenting issue. It's a cultural issue. And unless adults step up and model respect for rules and shared spaces, we'll keep seeing teens treating public areas like their personal playgrounds."

Mayhem breaks out at a Chicago pool party as mob hurls fireworks and shoves the lifeguard into the water
Mayhem breaks out at a Chicago pool party as mob hurls fireworks and shoves the lifeguard into the water

Daily Mail​

time10-07-2025

  • Daily Mail​

Mayhem breaks out at a Chicago pool party as mob hurls fireworks and shoves the lifeguard into the water

Shocking footage shows the moment hundreds of unruly teens in Chicago slung fireworks around and shove a lifeguard in the water as they overran a public pool. The 'flash mob' of around 200 youngsters swarmed Sunset Park & Pool in Glen Ellyn on Saturday and forced their way past security to pack out the area. Lifeguard Christine Giunta-Mayer was seen in the clip as she's shoved into the pool by the mob who had taunted her as she scrambled to get out of the water. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @duffyclipzz Stunned residents told the DuPage Policy Journal that the group also brought marijuana and alcohol to the pool, and stole other attendees' belongings. A local teenager said: 'They were drinking and smoking weed and swearing a lot. Someone threw a lit cigar into the pool. 'I saw Miller Lite bottles and girls drinking on-the-rocks cosmos... They were taking people's stuff and moving it from their pool chairs.' Glen Ellyn PD arrived soon after to disband the rowdy crowd, and one person was reportedly arrested for throwing a firework 'in close proximity to pedestrians'. The group appeared to overwhelm the pool after first gathering at the Downtown Napier Beach, according to a social media ad promoting the 'flash mob'. The promo said: 'We're bringing 31st Beach to the 'burbs'. No fighting!' A Facebook post from resident Patrick Sandusky said that police closed down the pool as they tried to bring the chaotic scenes under control. Sandusky said: 'The Sunset Pool has been overwhelmed by out of town kids. 'Fireworks fired into pool. It's a TikTok meet up take over according to police I just spoke to... Kids pushed past the gates. Lots of drinking and weed in the parking lot. Hundreds and hundreds of kids. No joke. Pushed manager into the pool.' The manager who was pushed into the water was identified by the DuPage Journal as Giunta-Mayer, who also coached Glenbard West Hilltoppers' volleyball team. The day after the 'flash mob', attendees at the pool were mandated to have a physical pool pass in order to enter. In a statement on Sunday, the pool's management said: 'We worked closely with the Glen Ellyn Police Department and surrounding agencies to ensure the facility was safely cleared. 'We are grateful to our quick-thinking and professional Sunset Pool staff for how they handled the situation. 'The safety of our patrons and staff remains our top priority. We're currently reviewing the incident internally and assessing any operational adjustments as needed.'

Mad Max mob swarms pool in upscale Chicago suburb, hurls fireworks and shoves female lifeguard in water
Mad Max mob swarms pool in upscale Chicago suburb, hurls fireworks and shoves female lifeguard in water

Daily Mail​

time08-07-2025

  • Daily Mail​

Mad Max mob swarms pool in upscale Chicago suburb, hurls fireworks and shoves female lifeguard in water

Shocking footage captured the moment hundreds of unruly Chicago teens shoved a lifeguard as they overran an upscale suburb's public pool. The 'flash mob' of around 200 teens and young adults swarmed Glen Ellyn's Sunset village pool on Saturday, forcing their way past security to pack out the area. Lifeguard Christine Guinta-Mayer was seen in the footage being shoved into the pool by the mob, who taunted her as the upset worker scrambled to get out of the water. Stunned residents told the DuPage Policy Journal that the group also set off fireworks into the pool, brought marijuana and alcohol to the pool, and stole other attendees' belongings. 'They were drinking and smoking weed and swearing a lot,' one local teen told the outlet. 'Someone threw a lit cigar into the pool 'I saw Miller Lite bottles and girls drinking on-the-rocks cosmos... They were taking people's stuff and moving it from their pool chairs.' The Glen Ellyn Police Department arrived soon after to disband the rowdy crowd, and one person was reportedly arrested for throwing a firework 'in close proximity to pedestrians.' The department did not immediately respond to a request for an update on any actions taken. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @duffyclipzz The group appeared to overwhelm the pool after first gathering at the Downtown Napier Beach, according to a social media advertisement promoting the 'flash mob.' 'We bringing (sic) 31st Beach to the burbs,' the promo read. 'No fighting!' A Facebook post from resident Patrick Sandusky said that police closed down the pool as they tried to bring the chaotic scenes under control. 'The Sunset Pool has been overwhelmed by out of town kids,' he wrote. 'Fireworks fired into pool. It's a tik tok meet up / take over according to police I just spoke to... Kids pushed (past) the gates. Lot of drinking and weed in the parking lot. 100s and 100s of kids. No joke. Pushed manager into the pool.' The manager who was pushed into the water was identified by the DuPage Journal as Guinta-Mayer, who is also head coach of the Glenbard West Hilltoppers Boys' Volleyball team. According to witnesses, the group overran the pool after shoving past security and avoided paying. Typically, The Sunset Pool charges $15 for non-residents aged between 18-59. The day after the 'flash mob', attendees at the pool were mandated to have a physical pool pass to enter. In a statement on Sunday, the pool's management said: 'We worked closely with the Glen Ellyn Police Department and surrounding agencies to ensure the facility was safely cleared. 'We are grateful to our quick-thinking and professional Sunset Pool staff for how they handled the situation. 'The safety of our patrons and staff remains our top priority. We're currently reviewing the incident internally and assessing any operational adjustments as needed.

Japan's Edo Era Brought to Life in Summer 2025 Exhibition at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and McAninch Arts Center
Japan's Edo Era Brought to Life in Summer 2025 Exhibition at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and McAninch Arts Center

Globe and Mail

time27-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Globe and Mail

Japan's Edo Era Brought to Life in Summer 2025 Exhibition at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and McAninch Arts Center

"Hokusai & Ukiyo-e" Invites Visitors to Journey Back in Time Through an Art Collection Making Its U.S. Debut and Interactive Experiences Including an Immersive Manga & Anime Exhibit, Silk & Samurai Selfie Station, Kids Area, DIY Digital Ukiyo-e Art and More Tickets Start at $12 Glen Ellyn, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2025) - The Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA) and McAninch Arts Center (MAC), located on the College of DuPage campus (425 Fawell Blvd.), present "Hokusai & Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, Artworks from the Chiossone Collection," May 31 - Sept. 21, 2025. The all-encompassing exhibition takes guests on a fascinating journey into the world of shoguns, samurai and Kabuki actors during a vibrant time of Japanese cultural renaissance. Tickets start at $12 and are now available on the exhibition's website, or through the MAC box office. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The "Hokusai & Ukiyo-e: The Floating World" exhibition authentically brings 17th-century Japan to life through meticulously crafted recreations, immersive experiences, hands-on activities and historical exhibits. Visitors will be transported to a time when the city of Edo (now Tokyo) flourished under shogunate rule as the cultural and economic heart of Japan, embracing the arts, nature and leisurely pursuits. The multi-faceted experience centers around the world-class presentation of a 63-piece collection making its U.S. debut, featured as " Museum Galleries - Chiossone Collection" in the exhibition. On loan from the Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art in Genoa, Italy, the collection includes 53 woodblock prints and original paintings by leading artists of ukiyo-e -a major artistic genre that flourished during Japan's Edo period (1603-1868)-along with several handcrafted objects such as games, instruments and daily objects. Enhancing the museum exhibition, "Hokusai & Ukiyo-e" immerses guests in Japan's iconic shogun era through a variety of engaging, interactive exhibits spanning over 10,000 square feet. Supporting the art collection and created exclusively for the CCMA and MAC, the show features: Historical Edo & Ukiyo-e Exhibit: With a layout inspired by a woodblock print, the first exhibit provides context to the featured art collection, focusing on the lives of Hokusai, Hiroshige and Edoardo Chiossone, the development of ukiyo-e and its lasting impact, the art of woodblock printing, and works from the College of DuPage permanent art collection. Hokusai's World: Step Into Edo: This streetscape walk-through experience features recreations of a woodblock printshop and Japanese market. As visitors step into the printshop, they will spot a scene depicting Hokusai and his daughter Oi-both deeply focused on their craft. Publishing boomed in Hokusai's time, and he helped fuel the craze for illustrated books known as ehon. Waves of DuPage: Beautiful Cities: Naperville artist Rich Lo created ukiyo-e-style landscapes based on iconic DuPage County locations. These original works were created for the DuPage Public Art Project and will be displayed as murals within communities throughout the county. Framed prints of all these pieces will be showcased together at the exhibition. Immersive History of Manga & Anime: Guests can explore the evolution of manga-Japanese comics-through a fully designed environment by Vanessa Vu and Kevin Yu of 2d, where every inch of the space, including walls, furniture and floors, merge into a black-and-white, larger-than-life comic book. Hokusai Kids Area: Families can dive into the fascinating world of Hokusai with an original Hokusai biographical anime film, a Children's Day display celebrating how strong, brave and bright kids are with traditional Japanese toys that are gifted, a Japanese dragon costume featured in parades and celebrations, a cherry blossom wish tree where children can write down their wishes and tie it to the tree, calligraphy and origami making, and more. Ukiyo-e Imagination Station: Visitors can create their very own ukiyo-e masterpieces through a hands-on digital experience. Samurai & Silk Selfie Station: Visitors can snap a photo with exquisite recreations of Edo Era clothing, including a samurai uniform on loan from Warner Bros., a Kabuki character costume designed by Kim Morris, and a stunning empress kimono. Great Wave Gardens: The curated outdoor garden will feature a selection of live plants including flowering trees and sculpted evergreens, plus a Japanese bridge, teahouse façade, picnic area and more to convey the spirit of peaceful Japanese landscapes. Edo EATS! and Gift Shop: Food and drink will be available at the Edo EATS! concession, and Hokusai-themed merchandise and souvenirs will be sold in the gift shop. "Think of this exhibition as an immersive cultural dive into Japan's captivating Shogun era, packed with everything from historic masterpieces and recreations of daily life to cherished traditions, natural beauty, and a few surprises along the way," said Diana Martinez, Executive Director of the McAninch Arts Center. "From centuries-old legendary artworks to anime, digital art and kid's activities, there's something around each corner for visitors of all generations to explore, learn and enjoy." "We are thrilled to collaborate with our international partners to bring this important collection to the museum. Japanese ukiyo-e artists have had a profound influence on global visual culture, and although these works are centuries old, they continue to resonate powerfully with contemporary audiences." said Justin Witte, Curator of the Cleve Carney Museum of Art. Widely considered as one of the most recognizable images in the world, the collection will feature Katsushika Hokusai 's iconic masterpiece, "Under the Wave off Kanagawa," along with eight more of his original works. There will also be 15 works by Utagawa Hiroshige, particularly known for the "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" series, along with works by 15 of their contemporaries. The MAC will host on-site lectures by authors and curators, film screenings, weekly Japanese calligraphy and woodblock printmaking classes, and more. For many of these events, a "Hokusai & Ukiyo-e" exhibition ticket will grant free access. In addition, 22 cities within DuPage County are celebrating the much-anticipated exhibition displaying ukiyo-e style murals of iconic locations and landmarks as part of the "Waves of DuPage: Beautiful Cities" public art project. Each will also host themed events. More information about the "Hokusai & Ukiyo-e: The Floating World" can be found at Additional Exhibition Information The exhibition is organized by the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, with works from the Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art of Genoa, Italy that was originally collected by Edoardo Chiossone (1833-1898), whose collection is known worldwide for the quality of art and its remarkable state of conservation. The featured ukiyo-e collection on loan will be curated by professor and art historian Rossella Menegazzo of The University of Milan as part of the larger exhibition at the MAC and CCMA, curated by Justin Witte. Support for "Hokusai & Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, Artworks from the Chiossone Collection" is provided in part by The County of DuPage, Ball Horticultural, DuPage Foundation, Arts DuPage, Wight & Company, The Illinois Arts Council, Capstone Financial Advisors, the JCS Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, Molex, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, the College of DuPage, Discover DuPage and DCVB DuMore DuPage. Exhibition Tickets Ticket prices range from $12 to $32 ($12 tickets available Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2 - 5 p.m.). VIP add-on packages start at $25 and include benefits such as audio tours, catalogs and exhibition merchandise. For tickets or more information visit or call the MAC Box Office 630.942.4000. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more by contacting the group sales coordinator at 630.942.3026 or grouptix@ Guests can explore the evolution of manga-Japanese comics-through a fully designed environment by Vanessa Vu and Kevin Yu of 2d, where every inch of the space, including walls, furniture and floors, merge into a black-and-white, larger-than-life comic book. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: About the Cleve Carney Museum of Art The late Cleve Carney provided a significant legacy gift to establish the Cleve Carney Art Gallery at College of DuPage. The gallery opened in February 2014 with its inaugural exhibition, "Selections from Cleve Carney's Art Collection." In fall 2019, the gallery was expanded to a 2,500 square-foot museum. The Cleve Carney Museum of Art opened June 2021 with the highly anticipated "Frida Kahlo: Timeless" exhibition followed it up in summer 2023 with "Warhol." Funding for CCMA is provided by the Cleve Carney Endowment Fund, which supports vital programming including artist engagement opportunities for community members and students, gallery exhibitions, artist commissions, new acquisitions and other teaching and learning tools that foster cultural enrichment in our community. More information can be found at and on social media @CleveCarneyMuseumofArt. About the MAC McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage is located 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355. It houses three indoor performance spaces (780-seat proscenium Belushi Performance Hall; 186-seat soft-thrust Playhouse Theatre; and a versatile black box Studio Theatre), outdoor Lakeside Pavilion, plus the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and classrooms for the college's academic programming. The MAC has presented theater, music, dance and visual art to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and typically welcomes more than 100,000 patrons from the greater Chicago area to more than 230 performances each season. For more information about the MAC, visit or @AtTheMAC on Facebook and Instagram. # # # Media Contact: Carol Fox & Associates Alyssa Krueger / Ann Fink 708.870.0968 / 773.969.5042 alyssak@ annf@ Click Here for Photos To view the source version of this press release, please visit

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