With sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s this weekend, Atlanta Police and other local law enforcement said during a Thursday afternoon press conference that they will shut down planned “teen takeovers” in the city and Fulton County.
APD Deputy Chief Jason Smith said law enforcement had been made aware of the potential gatherings due to social media chatter.
“These takeovers are not going to happen,” Smith said bluntly. “All of us are prepared, and that behavior is not going to be tolerated. We urge the public to call 911 if they see something.”
He said the incidents began last December and have continued across metro Atlanta, including Atlantic Station, The Battery in Cobb County, and one on Feb. 28 along the Beltline Eastside Trail that resulted in more than a dozen arrests.
“They take over streets, disrupt traffic, there were assaults, and shots fired – chaos,” Smith said.
Smith said during the Beltline incident that the age range for those arrested was 13 to 20. Eleven guns were recovered, including one with a Glock switch that transformed it from a semi-automatic to a fully automatic handgun.
There were also numerous curfew violations, aggravated assault, theft by receiving of stolen property, terroristic threats, and possession of a firearm during a felony charges.
APD reminded kids and parents that the City of Atlanta has a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Atlanta Public Schools Police Chief Ron Applin warned students taking part in the takeovers not to jeopardize their futures.
“This is not the time to ruin your future by doing something that just doesn’t make any sense at all,” Applin said. “It seems like it might not be a big deal, but it is a big deal at the end of the day. One thing, one night it can ruin a lot of things for you, including losing scholarships.”
Applin cautioned parents to “watch your kids.”
“You need to know what they’re doing,” Applin said. “Don’t let them run the streets and ruin their future. Be smart, know where your child is.”
Fulton Sheriff Pat Labatt echoed the sentiments of the other officers. “We want to make sure our teenagers are safe,” he said. “Foolishness will not be tolerated.”
The Fulton County Solicitor’s Office said it was prepared to increase charges and fines for those involved in the teen takeovers, including charges of inciting to riot, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, and obstruction of law enforcement.
Smith urged parents and students to visit ATLYearoftheYouth.com to find alternative, safe events and activities for teens this spring and summer.