CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said on Friday that it is aware of a planned “takedown” event expected to take place at the Orange Park Mall this weekend and will be actively monitoring the situation.
In a statement sent to News4JAX, a spokesperson for the agency said it will ensure that its deputies will be prepared if any major event were to occur, and will take the necessary steps if it deems any activity a threat to the community.
The full statement can be read below.
We are, and have been aware, of a planned “takedown” event at the Orange Park Mall this weekend.
We have several units monitoring this situation closely, gathering vital information and have deputies prepared to be in the area.
We always track any major events and are well prepared. Our agency ensures that deputies are extremely prepared and maintain visibility. While we support safe and lawful gatherings, we do not support unlawful activity and will address any behavior that threatens public safety or disrupts our community.
We also want to urge parents to stay informed about who their children are spending time with, what their plans are and where they are going.
Spokesperson for Clay County Sheriff's Office
In recent weeks, law enforcement agencies throughout our coverage area have taken steps to address “teen takeovers.”
Most recently, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was able to shut down a takeover event at Blue Cypress Park in Arlington that involved over 200 teenagers. The disruption also led to the arrest of three girls, two of whom were 12 years old.
And in Orange Park, police officers worked with the community to halt a rumored event from taking place at a local trampoline park.
A teen takeover is a large, loosely organized gathering of juveniles that’s typically promoted on social media and can quickly overwhelm the area where it happens — a mall parking lot, a popular park, or a busy shopping corridor.
While many teens show up just to hang out, the size and energy of the crowd can create fertile ground for chaos, fights and, in some cases, gunfire.
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
Additionally, the Orange Park Mall said it is canceling its Spring Fling Carnival this weekend, though the mall didn’t say whether the cancellation was due to the planned “takedown.”