The Brief
- Bay Area law enforcement agencies are increasing efforts to stop “teen takeover” gatherings after recent incidents in Tampa and Clearwater.
- A 17-year-old was shot during a large Clearwater Beach gathering Sunday, and a 16-year-old suspect has been arrested on charges including attempted murder.
- Police and sheriffs say they plan to hold both juveniles and parents accountable, while increasing patrols and monitoring planned takeover-style events across the region.
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Bay Area law enforcement agencies are launching a coordinated crackdown to halt a rising wave of “teen takeover” gatherings swarming public parks and coastlines.
Bay Area ‘teen takeover’ events
The backstory:
Last month in Tampa, police arrested 22 people after a large crowd took over Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, with the suspects ranging in age from 12 to 21 years old.
On Sunday, law enforcement says a mass gathering of hundreds of kids at Clearwater Beach became chaotic very quickly, ending with a 17-year-old shot. Police arrested a 16-year-old in connection with the shooting.
Clearwater police say they’ve tracked 11 planned “takeover-style events” since Dec. 31. Police say nine were canceled and two never materialized.…