JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (CBS12) — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) broke up a chaotic street takeover attended by 600 to 700 juveniles.
JSO officers say the street takeover occurred at Jacksonville’s Southbank, near the Friendship Fountain, on Saturday, July 27. Officers continued the teens were engaging in problematic behavior, including drug use, fighting and pepper spraying each other.
Officers say they were made aware of several planned street takeovers circulating on social media and found that the organizers would post multiple locations in an attempt to be deceptive. JSO said before the large gathering, officers issued warnings to event organizers and their parents, advising them not to host the event.
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JSO said a large crowd began to gather and grow at Friendship Fountain Park, and when it was set to close at 10 p.m., officers took action to disperse the gathering. As officers were breaking up the gathering, they saw a teen reaching for his backpack.
Officers say the teen fled the scene but was quickly apprehended. When they searched him, they discovered a firearm and he was arrested. JSO said to prevent the group from relocating, officers blocked nearby roads.
JSO wants parents and guardians to remind people that they are legally responsible for knowing the whereabouts and activities of their children. Officers also want to remind parents that children under 18 are not allowed in public after 11 p.m. on weeknights or after midnight on weekends unless they are with an adult.
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