08-07-2025
Hundreds of teens run off from Orange Park Mall amid crackdown on bad behavior. What we know
A crackdown on bad behavior at Orange Park Mall, sparked by reports of disturbances by unruly youths, sent hundreds running July 5 amid a massive presence by Clay County sheriff's deputies.
No arrests or injuries were reported immediately as deputies swarmed to get the crowd under control, according to social media posts and videos that went viral overnight.
Neither Clay County Sheriff's Office officials nor Orange Park Mall management could be reached for comment on July 6.
However, Sheriff Michelle Cook said in a July 7 statement emailed to the Times-Union that "one juvenile civil citation was issued, a number of kids were detained, and parents were called for pickup" during the incident.
The Sheriff's Office warned on Facebook the morning of July 5 that it would be out in force that evening after learning that a "big reunion was planned" at the mall at 1919 Wells Road.
"And our feelings were hurt we didn't get an invite! So in good fashion, we will be out and about all over Clay County to keep the peace, and if we have to we will play the party crashers!" the Sheriff's Office post said.
Mall management also posted an advisory that morning, saying it would strictly enforce its code of conduct.
It warned that "violations may result in removal from the property, loss of shopping privileges and/or criminal prosecution."
The mall posted a link to the code of conduct on its website.
At 7:30 p.m. July 5, the Sheriff's Office announced on Facebook that people needed to immediately come get their children if they were at the mall.
That announcement triggered 1,200 comments as of 10:30 a.m. July 6.
Deputies could be seen about 8 p.m. surrounding groups of teenagers at the mall. A Sheriff's Office spokesperson told Times-Union news partner First Coast News that deputies responded to a group of teens causing "disturbances" there.
Some commenters reported seeing groups estimated at 20 to 100 teenagers running from the mall across Wells Road and Blanding Boulevard as sheriff's deputies worked at crowd control.
Many social media posters voiced support for the Sheriff's Office and mall officials. Others decried the necessity for the crackdown. And some denounced troublemakers, as well as their parents for failing to raise their children right.
One witness posted: "A lot of the stores closed early. My spouse and I were in shock. And parents really do need to know what their children are up to."
Another said parents need to step up.
"No kids should be at the mall without adult supervision. Enforce the rules! We use to back in the day, but we were taught how to be respectful and responsible. Most kids these days are raising themselves and could care less about others! It's such a shame," the post read.
Another called on Clay County officials to create more activities for youths so they will have something to do besides cause trouble at the mall.
"Kids congregate there because there is nothing for them to do in Orange Park except skating rink and movies. Therefore they find and create trouble. … I'm not excusing bad children or bad parenting, but idle hands & minds do the devil's work. You want to reduce crime, give these kids something to do ( a lot of them may be in 1/2 absent parent homes due to parents working, drugs, or incarceration)."
Opened in 1975, Orange Park Mall is the Jacksonville area's second-oldest indoor shopping mall.
The weekend incident was the most recent disturbance involving teenagers at the 953,000 square foot shopping center.
2014 teen disturbance: Crowd of teens involved in weekend incidents at Orange Park Mall, Chick-fil-A
Past incidents date back to at least 2014, Times-Union archives show, and have happened sporadically since then.
(This story has been updated with new information)
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Hundreds of teens cleared from Orange Park Mall amid disturbance
