JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Community leaders and law enforcement are weighing how to prevent large teenage “takeovers” after a gun was fired and chaos erupted near the Avenues Mall this past weekend.
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Pastor Korey O’Neal, who works with at-risk teens and gang members as a partner with the sheriff’s office, said parents should know when their children plan to attend a takeover and whether police or security will be present.
“Do they know there’s a consequence? Or do they feel they go, something happens and go home?” O’Neal said. “A lot of them do feel that way. I’m just going to do what I do or I’m going to go and get in trouble. But I’ll be out the next day because I’m a youth. No, these crimes are serious.”
O’Neal urged organizers to coordinate with adults and authorities to make events safer.
“If you want to organize a takeover, reach out. We can help you do it the right way. I’m all for getting hundreds of kids together and having a great time,” he said.
The pastor added that signs warning against weapons aren’t enough without formal supervision.
“You can’t tell youth today ‘no guns allowed.’ Some of the youth carry guns. Many of the youth I oversee in the program I run have gun charges. They’re on video holding guns,” O’Neal said.
The sheriff’s office and city officials said they are taking the issue seriously. News4JAX has reported on similar problems for years, including several takeovers at Orange Park Mall that required intervention by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have also previously shut down street-racing gatherings, such as a chaotic parking-lot takeover on Beach Boulevard that drew mostly young adults.
Officials and community leaders say organized security, police presence or adult supervision are key to preventing future incidents.