A teen takeover in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood on Monday night resulted in one arrest, several citations issued by police and more than a dozen cars left with significant damage.
All along South Dorchester Avenue, it is not hard to find cars bearing the scars of being trampled: footprints on the hood, broken windshields and damaged bodywork.
Hyde Park residents described to NBC Chicago the wild scene that unfolded during large gathering of teenagers, commonly referred to as a “teen takeover.”
Linda Sales said she heard a thunderous noise around 8 p.m. but realized it was not lightning.
“It was the children, in large groups, running from 53rd Street down our street, but running on both sides of the street and on top of the cars,” she said.
Jason Hale lives along Dorchester and his car was left with a big dent in the middle of its hood. He also took video of the teen takeover.
“It just shows the teens just losing their minds,” he said of the video. “They are just jumping on the cars, they are twerking on the cars; they are stomping on the cars. I don’t know why.”
Chicago police said one 16-year-old was arrested and also cited for unlawful possession of a weapon and failure to obey police. Police also issued a number of citations for curfew violations during the event.
Neighbors told NBC Chicago they were unsettled by the takeover.
One woman who did not want to give her name wondered why there weren’t more police officers assigned to the incident. She said they were “gravely outnumbered.”
The arrival of summer-like weather has re-kindled talk about the need to give police more tools to combat teen takeovers. Public Safety Committee Chair and 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins previously advocated for making the existing curfew more flexible.
Hopkins would like to see police be able to invoke the curfew before 10 p.m. when the situation warrants.
“Preventing police from using this tool before 10 p.m. is foolish, short-sighted, and dangerous to both uninvolved bystanders and the teens themselves,” Hopkins said Tuesday in a post on social media referencing a teen takeover in the city’s downtown area that took place last week.
The downtown teen takeover resulted in eight juveniles arrested and two dozen others cited for curfew violations.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has strongly imposed “snap curfews,” calling them bad policy that “criminalizes” youth.
Echoing Johnson’s sentiments, Hyde Park resident Dylan Mears who recorded much of the Monday night takeover said the problem may require a solution greater than an immediate police response can provide.
“I don’t think arresting kids is the solution to this problem. I think it’s a lot more systemic,” they said.
The part of Hyde Park where the takeover occurred is part of the city’s 5th Ward, overseen by Alderman Desmon Yancy.
Yancy told NBC Chicago that it is important to strike a balance between supporting teens and holding them accountable for their actions. He is planning a town hall with 2nd District police later in April.
Hence then, the article about 1 arrested after teen takeover leaves hyde park littered with damaged vehicles was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 1 arrested after teen takeover leaves Hyde Park littered with damaged vehicles )
Also on site :
- Hezbollah Denies Bahraini Interior Ministry& 039;s Baseless Allegations
- This 30-Year-Old Start to a Book Series Is Named the Best Epic Fantasy on Goodreads
- What’s Israel’s death penalty law that only applies to Palestinians?