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On Monday night, Chicago police faced yet another significant gathering of teenagers, this time taking place in Hyde Park.
Footage captured a large group of young individuals clambering over cars as they moved along the street, raising concerns among residents and authorities.
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Chicago PD was present at the scene, accompanying the teens in an effort to maintain order throughout the evening.
When the city’s 10 p.m. curfew took effect, police took action by arresting three individuals for curfew violations. Among them, a 16-year-old girl faced charges for possessing a weapon illegally and failing to comply with police instructions.
Earlier on Tuesday, ABC7 conducted an exclusive interview with Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling. Following a police graduation ceremony, Supt. Snelling emphasized the need for parents and guardians to play a more active role in preventing their children from getting into precarious situations.
“When we don’t hold them accountable, we’re telling them that what they’re doing is OK, and it’s not right. We can’t have them harming each other, harming others, damaging property. We want to make sure that everyone gets to enjoy our city,” Snelling said.
Just last week, another large group of young people descended on the Loop, where fights broke out during a disruptive evening that led to eight arrests and 24 curfew citations.
Snelling says as we head into summer, police will keep modifying tactics as needed to try and prevent teen trends or mitigate bad behavior during them.
“We have to be fluid as a police department. So, as times change, things change, tactics change will change, the approach will change. So, we have to make sure that we’re focused on what it is that’s happening, whatever the trend is,” Snelling said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson says these teen trends are not something that Chicagoans should have to get used to and that police are using new tactics against them.
The mayor said he wants young people to be able to gather downtown or wherever they want, with a caveat.
“But this cannot come at the expense of reckless and irresponsible behavior, particularly behavior that endangers others. Parents and guardians, I need your assistance in making sure that we know where your children are at all times,” Johnson said.
The mayor was asked if he thought the Hyde Park incident could have been prevented.
“I believe that the best way to prevent these gatherings from taking place is that one we create more opportunities for people and that we also hold folks accountable,” Johnson said.
The mayor continued to push back against calls by Ald. Brian Hopkins and others to modify the current 10 p.m. curfew to give police flexibility in dealing with teen gatherings that happen earlier.
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