Teens across the country are being arrested after the latest TikTok challenge. From Florida to Wisconsin and everywhere in between, large groups of teens are appearing at local businesses with one intention: to create chaos. These kids are participating in the teen takeover challenge, which encourages large groups of teens to gather at local businesses. Fighting is also encouraged. Teens are organizing these incidents through social media, encouraging each other to participate. But as the trend continues to spread across the country, law enforcement agencies and businesses are getting smart and getting ahead of the chaos.
The teens targeted multiple businesses in the same Florida city.
Hundreds of teens overwhelmed the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park in Brandon, Florida, on March 21, 2026, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office told Fox 13. As teens filled the business’ parking lot, employees made the decision to close early as a form of damage control.
“We’ve watched 200 juveniles just causing chaos and havoc,” Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer told the outlet. “That’s unacceptable.”
Eight teens were arrested on trespassing charges after they allegedly refused to leave despite repeated commands from law enforcement. “They’re going there to cause a disturbance, create a ruckus, and create fights,” Maurer said, adding that the teen takeover causes a “resource drain for our community.”
“They have no reasonable reason to be there,” he added, per Fox 13.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, two other similar incidents took place at other Brandon businesses. Between the three incidents, 20 teens have been arrested.
It’s not just happening in Florida.
In February 2026, nearly 20 teens were arrested in the Bronx, New York at Bay Plaza Mall, PIX 11 reported. A rowdy group of teens gathered in the mall parking lot and in front of a nearby grocery store, according to the New York Police Department.
Videos of the “takeover” made their way to social media, the PIX 11 reported. They showed large groups of teens running amok in the street and throughout local businesses. Some of the storefronts had broken windows.
“Earlier today, officers responded to a large disorderly gathering at Bay Plaza Mall. The situation is under control. Police presence remains at the location,” the NYPD 45th Precinct posted on X.
According to police, 18 teens were taken into police custody and detained for rioting and unlawful assembly that day. It was unclear at the time if they were only given summonses. Police said there were no complaints of property damage or injuries.
Another teen takeover recently took place in Wisconsin.
On March 29, 2026, hundreds of teens descended on Bayshore Mall in Glendale, TMJ4 reported. The Glendale Police Department told the outlet that they had been made aware of social media posts calling for the takeover and made an effort to increase security and law enforcement presence.
“BAYSHORE became aware earlier this week of a potential unauthorized gathering and proactively coordinated with the Glendale Police Department to prepare a plan to manage the situation,” a spokesperson for the mall shared in a statement obtained by TMJ4.
“BAYSHORE management worked closely with Glendale police and on-site security, increasing staffing and patrol presence to help ensure a safe environment,” the statement added. “Law enforcement also deployed additional officers based on crowd conditions, and we understand that arrests were made.”
The mall went on to reiterate its parental guidance policy, which requires any children younger than 17 to be accompanied by an adult after 3 p.m. Friday through Sundays.
According to police, at least 13 people were arrested. Charges ranged from disorderly conduct and battery to resisting an officer. “There’s gotta be something more formal to prevent this entirely — programming, support, hopefully businesses involved,” community leader Vaun Mayes told TMJ4.
