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Last week, the bustling streets of Chicago were overtaken by a sea of young faces, engaging in what Mayor Brandon Johnson has termed “teen trends,” a phenomenon he cautions could escalate into dangerous situations.
Footage obtained by Fox News through ChitownCrimeChasers vividly illustrates the scene from March 30, with throngs of teenagers filling the streets and sidewalks, congregating around parked cars and navigating intersections en masse.
Additional video snippets from that evening depict a lively atmosphere with various individuals dancing and mingling amidst the urban backdrop. However, some recordings also capture moments where participants climbed atop vehicles and engaged in brief skirmishes amidst the crowd.
In the Hyde Park neighborhood, locals reported that this youthful takeover persisted for hours, stretching late into the night, leaving a significant impact on the community.
The events of March 30 have left Chicago residents and officials reflecting on the implications of such gatherings, as they seek to balance youthful exuberance with public safety concerns.
One resident, Jason Hale, said his car was among roughly 30 affected by crowds in Chicago that night.
“Yeah, it’s bad. The hood is messed up, terrible. A thousand worth of damage, dents everywhere, footprints everywhere,” Hale told FOX 32 Chicago.
Video shows groups of teens standing and moving on top of parked vehicles as crowds formed around them.
Chicago police confirmed to the local outlet that three curfew violations were issued in connection with the gathering. A 16-year-old girl was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct.
City officials and police have described these gatherings, which are often organized through social media, as part of a broader, growing trend across Chicago.
Recent events have drawn large crowds to neighborhoods including downtown and Hyde Park, with activity ranging from social gatherings to more chaotic crowd movement.
Mayor Brandon Johnson answers questions during a news conference at Chicago City Hall on Feb. 25, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service)
Johnson released a public service announcement telling parents to not let their kids attend the increasingly popular “teen trends across the city.”
“We’re currently tracking five. That’s right. Five teen trends across the city this weekend,” the mayor said in an April 3 message. “I’m calling on all parents. Check in with your children. See where they plan to be this weekend. Please, do not allow your child to attend any of these trends this weekend.”
“They’re unsafe, and they can turn deadly. Our police officers will be out enforcing the city’s 10 p.m. curfew,” he said.
Groups of young people took over the streets in Hyde Park, Chicago. (X/Chitown_Crime_Chasers)
Some residents say the repeated gatherings are raising concerns about safety and quality of life.
Hale said the incident has prompted him to reconsider staying in the city.
“Your kids should not be out here… I had parents who guided me,” he said. “And these parents, they just let them run rampant.”
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