Latest news with #teenTakeover
CBS News
12-05-2025
- CBS News
Community groups to join in effort to prevent teen takeovers in Chicago
Over the weekend, Chicago -police warned of another possible teen takeover, but no such thing manifested like others we've seen — which have involved young people jumping on cars and crowding in the street downtown and in other areas. Meanwhile, the City of Chicago has launched a different approach to preventing such teen takeovers from happening. For the first time ever, city agencies are trying to partner with community groups to be on the scene as takeovers tart. CBS News Chicago on Monday got a sneak peek at how they are planning to map out their response. "The community-based organization element would be new," said Manuel Whitfield, director of violence prevention and community safety for the Mayor's Office of Community Safety. "We've never done it before." CBS News Chicago met with Whitfield in Streeterville, where two separate teen takeovers led to shootings back in March. On March 9, a 46-year-old woman and her son were caught up in a teen takeover near the AMC River East movie theater when the woman, a tourist, was shot in the arm. On March 28, a 15-year-old boy suffered a gunshot graze wound to the leg during a teen takeover in the same area, near Columbus Drive and Illinois Street. A 14-year-old boy has since been charged with shooting the 15-year-old. Ogden Plaza, a multi-level concrete space with trees and benches, is where teens often congregate. "Youth usually start gathering here on Illinois Street, and then they start moving," Whitfield said. "They usually end up here [at Ogden Plaza], and what happens is we already preplanned, have had CPD in all of these set areas." The city has tried fencing and community alerts. But the newest method is community organizations — with representatives who would walk alongside those of city agencies. The community organizations are now preparing by scoping out the scenes of the large gatherings. "What makes this approach different is we're actually all working together," said Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Garien Gatewood. As Gatewood explained, representatives of the groups would walk around and talk to kids. They would explain the curfew and offer resources, community involvement, and job opportunities. "Ultimately, having those conversations person-to-person, and that really helps drive down the anger and angst sometimes out," Gatweood said. "You have to be integrated, because look, there's sometimes hundreds of kids down here — and you have to be part of that work, and actually physically being out here." There is one group whose voices have not yet been part of the conversation — young adults who might attend a takeover. "Me as a young person, I just feel like people are describing us as wild animals — and that's not what we are," said Jaqueza Thomas of the Mayor's Youth Commission. "Young people like myself just want a safe space to have fun and enjoy themselves." The young adults can explain what they're looking for when they go downtown. "We don't want to come like down here, downtown, to destroy anything or cause chaos," Thomas said. "We just really want to enjoy our time as young people." The Chicago Police Department has also played a large role in planning with community groups and other city agencies — explaining how they would verify a possible takeover, reach out to the person posting about it, and make a resource plan for traffic control and curfew enforcement. This is all as they emphasize that the goal is not to arrest people who are downtown just to have a good time. All the stakeholders want to try this new approach and see how it goes.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Chicago police warn Chicago Public Schools parents ahead of potential teen takeover at city beach
The video above is a related story from April 18: Streeterville tests new safety measures in Ogden Plaza to prevent teen takeovers as summer nears CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department sent a letter to parents of Chicago Public Schools students, warning them about large and often dangerous teen gatherings, including one expected to take place this weekend. A 46-year-old tourist and a 15-year-old boy were hit by gunfire at two different teen gatherings, also known as teen takeovers, earlier this year. 'To protect your children's safety, the Chicago Police Department strongly encourages parents to refrain from allowing youth to attend these events,' the department said. CPD also says it has been made aware of a potential gathering at one of Chicago's beaches this weekend, though the letter did not specify which beach or when the gathering is planned for. 'While beaches can be informal and relaxed places for young people to connect, it's important to remember that these spaces come with specific safety concerns and restrictions' CPD said. The department also reminded parents that Chicago beaches do not open until May 23. According to CPD, in the event of a teen takeover, officers will focus on de-escalation, but curfews will be enforced and if necessary, arrests will be made. In the City of Chicago, the curfew is 8:30 p.m. for minors under 12 years old, and 10 p.m. for those aged 12 and older. 'We want our young people to explore and enjoy the great city they live in. But large, unsupervised gatherings promoted on social media are not the best way to do that,' CPD said. Read CPD's full letter to parents below: To the Parents/Guardians of CPS Students: We know that as the school year draws to a close and the weather grows warmer, Chicago's young people will want to spend more time outside. Today, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) is asking for your partnership to make sure our youth stay safe and supported as they enjoy their beautiful city. Over the past several months, we've seen an increase in large, unsupervised groups of teens and young adults from in and around Chicago. Last month, two shootings were associated with these gatherings. To protect your children's safety, the Chicago Police Department strongly encourages parents to refrain from allowing youth to attend these events. Through posts on social media, the Chicago Police Department has been made aware of a potential gathering at one of Chicago's beaches this weekend. While beaches can be informal and relaxed places for young people to connect, it's important to remember that these spaces come with specific safety concerns and restrictions — especially before the official start of summer. We urge you to review these important reminders about Chicago's beaches, and to go over them with your children: 1. Chicago's beaches do not officially open until Friday, May 23 2. No lifeguards are currently assigned to our city's beaches 3. Alcohol is prohibited on all Chicago beaches. 4. All beach visitors are subject to search. 5. Citywide curfew laws apply on the beach just as they do throughout Chicago. CPD's goal is to ensure public safety while maintaining peace. Therefore, in instances of large gatherings, we will use de-escalation and dispersal techniques to encourage our young people to comply with the law. This will be particularly important in situations where young people are walking in roadways and/or obstructing the public way. Individuals who fail to voluntarily comply with lawful police orders may be subject to arrest. As a reminder, curfew hours for the City of Chicago are 10 p.m. for minors 12 and older and 8:30 p.m. for minors younger than 12, except on Fridays and Saturdays, when the curfew is 9 p.m. In all instances, curfew hours remain in effect until 6:00 a.m. the following day. As long as it is safe to do so, members of the CPD will make every attempt to educate young people on these rules and have them disperse voluntarily before enforcing curfew laws. Protective action will only be taken when a minor refuses to comply despite those efforts. We want our young people to explore and enjoy the great city they live in. But large, unsupervised gatherings promoted on social media are not the best way to do that. Instead, we urge families to explore the many offerings available through your children's schools, community and faith-based organizations, and city agencies like the Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Library. We thank you for your partnership as we work together to ensure our city's youth remain happy, engaged, and above all, safe. Sincerely, The Chicago Police Department Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
09-05-2025
- CBS News
CPS, CPD warn parents of possible teen takeover at a Chicago beach this weekend
Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Police Department sent a collaborative message to parents this week, warning about a possible "teen takeover" at an unspecified beach this weekend, based on posts found on social media. In a letter to parents, CPS and CPD reminded parents of restrictions in place at Chicago's beaches, along with safety concerns that come with large groups of teens on the beach after hours. Officials asked parents to go over some important reminders with their children, including the fact the official opening of Chicago beaches isn't until Memorial Day. The letter also reminds parents that no lifeguards are assigned to beaches until they officially open, that alcohol is not allowed at beaches at any time, and that any beach visitors are subject to being searched. Officials also reminded parents of the city's 10 p.m. curfew seven days a week for minors over the age of 12. A similar letter was sent to parents almost a month ago after social media posts implied a large gathering was happening in Millennium Park, but that gathering ended up not happening. The letters come after two large gatherings of teens in the Streeterville neighborhood ended in gunfire in March. Jahmal Cole – who runs youth violence preventions programs with My Block My, Hood, My City – said what kids in the community need are more programs instead of restrictions. "CPD is, like, saying what everyone is saying, 'Where are the parents? Where are the parents? Why aren't the parents doing this?' I feel like I want to say, 'Where are the programs? Where the social impact organizations? Where's the counselors? Where's the jobs? Where's the basketball hoops?'" he said. In that letter to parents, police said they will attempt to educate young people who gather at beaches on the rules in place, and have them disperse voluntarily before they enforce any curfew laws by issuing citations or making arrests.
