"Teen takeovers" aren't limited to Chicago, although the city does see a great number of them. Matt Van Swol has videos of recent teen takeovers in Detroit and Houston.
🚨HOLY CRAP!!!!
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) June 23, 2026
A mob of nearly 200 "teens" BROKE CURFEW, FLOODED downtown Detroit, disrupted a family friendly fireworks show, and then starting BEATING EACH OTHER AND POLICE IN THE STREETS.
Police brought in HORSES to contain the "teens" and MULTIPLE teens had weapons on them… pic.twitter.com/w1xblAG1Fr
🚨HOLY CRAP!!!
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) June 14, 2026
ANOTHER MASSIVE "teen-takeover" occurred in downtown Houston last night where over 500 "teens" SWARMED downtown...
...AND THEN BEGAN PUNCHING EACH OTHER, THROWING ROCKS, JUMPING ON CARS AND MULTIPLE REPORTS OF SH0TS FIRED!!!!
WHERE ARE THEIR PARENTS?!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/z6vlPWQxSz
As I reported, Washington, D.C. implemented a curfew for a week after a Halloween night teen takeover at the Navy Yard got out of hand. But D.C. councilwoman Janeese George said it was "dangerous" to impose a curfew on teens, because it would increase their risk of encountering law enforcement. Yeah, that's the idea.
Last November, nine teenagers were shot in Chicago at a teen takeover at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. As I reported last month, Mayor Brandon Johnson said he would fight teen takeovers by "holding social media platforms accountable." How about holding the parents accountable?
Here's a local news report on Wednesday's meeting between teens and the Chicago City Council to determine a solution:
Chicago’s latest bright idea: Ask the teens causing the takeovers how to stop them.
— Jen (@IlliniJen) June 24, 2026
Youth groups told leaders that enforcement and curfews are the problem. Teens just need more jobs and safe structured spaces so their socialization isn’t criminalized.
At the most recent… pic.twitter.com/Szhc2NyfcF
The post continues:
… takeover, police arrested over 50 people and recovered guns.
Perhaps next we can ask criminals how to stop crime.
On Wednesday, Chicago aldermen heard the same old excuse … teens need to be given more opportunities. The city needs to set up safe spaces for teens to meet up after 11 p.m.
Chicago City Council just hosted "teens" for advice about "teen takeovers" and crime.
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 24, 2026
Their solution? Less restrictions. pic.twitter.com/o3zOUx7rC1
AH YES.
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) June 24, 2026
THE KIDS NEED SAFE SPACES TO....
BURN CARS IN THE STREETS AND BEAT EACH OTHER SENSELESS.pic.twitter.com/19t93E8v8R
What did the parents have to say?
— Albert Latham (@albert1776) June 24, 2026
Ha!
Just kidding.
Blame everybody and everything but themselves and their actions.
— Old School Eddie (@Old_SchoolEddie) June 24, 2026
No. Look what they do with the safe spaces now. This is criminal behavior no matter what shade of lipstick you slap on it. Arrests and appropriate punishment is the only way.
— Milfmoney (@ShannonG747) June 24, 2026
Go focus on learning how to be productive and useful members of society in school. It's more than just getting an education. It's a space for yall too learn how to communicate properly and formally in a safe environment. Unfortunately our younger citizens don't understand that.
— Daniel (@som_daniel) June 24, 2026
The city just hasn't given them opportunities. It's the city's fault.
I grew up in a small town and had a very boring childhood. When the clock struck 11 p.m., I was in bed, or I was working stocking shelves at the local grocery store. I didn't feel compelled to go meet up with hundreds of other teens and run wild in the middle of the night.
It sounds like Chicago needs to implement a curfew and enforce it. Sure, the poor teens will have to do their "socializing" during the day, but they'll get over it.
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