Polk Sheriff Warns Parents of Arrests Over Teen Takeovers as 22 Were Nabbed in Nearby Tampa
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 22
Polk Sheriff Warns Parents of Arrests Over Teen Takeovers as 22 Were Nabbed in Nearby Tampa
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 22
Summary
Grady Judd said Polk County will not tolerate TikTok-fueled "teen takeover" gatherings and warned parents they could be jailed or sued if they fail to control their children.
Polk County already enforces a juvenile curfew—11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for most under-17s on weeknights, later on weekends, and midnight to 6 a.m. for 17-year-olds.
The warning follows a May 8 takeover in nearby Tampa's Curtis Hixon Park, where police arrested 22 people ages 12 to 21 after deploying patrol officers, bike units and air support.
Tampa police said charges included affray, narcotics possession, resisting without violence and unlawful weapon possession, and officers seized 2 firearms and 1 vehicle.
The crackdown reflects a broader push for tougher responses to youth disorder, with officials in Florida and Washington calling for more accountability over rehabilitation.