JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Nearly one week after five teens were shot in Jacksonville Beach during a “takeover” event, the city’s police department said it plans to increase the number of officers on the streets to monitor for any potential unpermitted gatherings.
On Thursday afternoon, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department posted on social media to notify residents and potential planners of “takeovers” and “BNB parties” that officers will be on the lookout during peak hours to prevent them from forming.
The agency also asked anyone who notices a large gathering forming to contact their department immediately.
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“Early intervention allows officers to respond promptly, determine whether the gathering is authorized or legal, and address any potential safety concerns,” police said.
The agency also posted a flyer for an event to give people an idea of what to look out for if they see something similar circulating on social media.
On Monday, Jacksonville Beach police said five teenagers were injured after gunshots were fired during a Saturday “takeover” event, which is a large, loosely organized gathering of juveniles that’s typically promoted on social media, at the beaches.
The chaos of the shooting was captured on camera by a News4JAX viewer who was filming from a nearby high-rise.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters has emphasized that these aren’t sanctioned community events. They’re spontaneous meetups driven by social media that can be hard for parents — and sometimes even police — to see coming.
At their most basic, teen takeovers look like big crowds of kids milling around — talking, filming videos, playing music and sometimes blocking traffic or disturbing nearby businesses.
But local law enforcement has documented more serious problems:
- Fights breaking out inside crowds
- Handguns and drugs showing up at the gatherings
- Shots fired near busy shopping areas, sending people running
- Property damage and businesses forced to close early
Jacksonville has seen several high-profile incidents linked to these kinds of gatherings.