Teen Takeovers at Curtis Hixon Park
Key Questions
What happened during the recent teen takeover near Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa?
A violent gathering of teens on May 8 led to 22 arrests, including children as young as 12, with police seizing guns and drugs. The incident occurred in downtown Tampa and prompted concerns about similar events organized via social media.
How are Tampa police responding to the threat of future teen takeovers?
TPD is preparing for potential repeat events over the weekend by supervising a Friday community event and holding a press conference with Titus O'Neil. This proactive approach follows the arrests and aims to prevent further violence in the area.
Did any arrested teens address city officials after the incident?
Yes, one of the arrested teens issued an apology to the Tampa City Council. This came as part of broader efforts to address the gatherings and their impact on downtown safety.
Downtown Tampa violent teen gatherings: 22 arrests incl. kids 12+ from May 8, guns/drugs seized. Arrested teen apologized to City Council; TPD supervised Friday event and presser with Titus O'Neil ahead of expected weekend repeats via social media.