A teen girl was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon after an unconfirmed “teen takeover” in Hyde Park Monday night, police said.
Dozens of Chicago police vehicles sat along public parking lots in East Hyde Park and Harold Washington Park on Monday evening as young people walked through the neighborhood. Videos posted to social media show large groups of young people running on sidewalks and streets and at times, on top of cars.
Police confirmed there was a “large gathering” in the area and that three curfew violations were issued. A 16-year-old girl was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct, police said.
Last week, the city saw its first “teen takeover” of the year pop up downtown, which prompted police to arrest eight young people and issue two dozen violations — and revived debate over Chicago’s curfew rules yet again.
Year’s first ‘teen takeover’ in downtown Chicago sees eight arrests, more curfew discussion
Hundreds of young adults have attended what are now commonly called “teen takeovers” over the past few years in the city’s downtown neighborhoods. The meetups, organized on social media days in advance, have led to shootings downtown in recent years. The so-called takeovers have also led to spirited debates in City Council and neighborhood groups alike about instituting an earlier teen curfew.
Mayor Brandon Johnson acknowledged the youth gathering Tuesday. Young people should be able to enjoy the “world-class city,” he told reporters.
“But this cannot come at the expense of reckless and irresponsible behavior, particularly behavior that endangers others,” Johnson said at an unrelated City Hall news conference. “Parents and guardians, I need your assistance in making sure that we know where your children are at all times.”
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Johnson praised police for “intercepting” many such gatherings. His administration said last week that police had preempted a similar Hyde Park meetup.
Pressed by reporters on his stance on broader teen curfew powers for police, Johnson pointed to the curfew citations and arrests made at last week’s downtown gathering and argued police already have the power to respond to “reckless and dangerous” actions.
The Tribune’s Rebecca Johnson, Sam Charles and Jake Sheridan contributed.