More than 100 minors were detained in Detroit, Michigan, over the weekend after two massive gatherings of teenagers spiraled into violence, chaos, and business disruptions, reigniting debate over so-called “teen takeovers” sweeping parts of the city. Apart from the worrying number of arrests, people online are also wondering where the parents of the kid were at the time.
According to the Detroit Police Department, officers detained around 109 juveniles Saturday night during large gatherings in downtown Detroit and at Palmer Park. Police said 107 of the detentions were for curfew violations, while two others involved disorderly conduct and tobacco possession.
In the video above, captured by one of the bystanders, you can see what transpires during one of these “teen takeovers,” where the hordes of teenagers rush into malls and business establishments during curfew hours. Officials said 60 teens were detained downtown, while 49 others were taken into custody at the park on the city’s north side. The police also issued 15 parental responsibility citations.
“The Detroit Police Department remains committed to protecting and serving our residents, visitors and young people while continuing to work with parents and the community to promote safe and responsible behavior,” Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said in a statement. Detroit PD has also ensured daily reiteration of the curfew on their Facebook page.
Still, the unrest escalated again on Sunday night when hundreds of teenagers reportedly flooded downtown Detroit near Woodward Avenue and Gratiot Avenue following Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Detroit police had their hands full
At roughly the same time as the Sunday takeover, a 14-year-old boy was shot near a downtown Gucci store after an altercation between two groups of teens, according to police. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover. Authorities said a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old were taken into custody, and a firearm was recovered.
Detroit Police Commissioner Darious Morris estimated that nearly 500 teens participated in a “large brawl” downtown Sunday night. Morris criticized Mayor Mary Sheffield’s youth outreach strategy, calling the city’s response a “failed solution.”
Meanwhile, people online are pointing fingers at other factors. One widely shared post, viewed more than 2 million times, asked: “WHERE. ARE. THE. PARENTS?!!!!!” The online reaction also turned heated, with some commenters blaming parenting failures while others posted racist remarks targeting Black teenagers. Several posts drew criticism for using inflammatory language and racial stereotypes.
