DETROIT ~ As teen takeovers drew large crowds in Detroit this summer, youth violence prevention experts say most teenagers are seeking connection rather than conflict, a view that is shaping the city’s approach to safety and youth programming.
PODCAST:
Aug. 17, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson talk with Dr. Krista Mehari of the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health at Michigan State University about the national ‘teen takeovers’. How can they be solved and how do we communicate better with teens?
(CONTINUED) Teen takeovers, or large, unsanctioned gatherings of teenagers, have appeared across the country and surged this summer since school ended. The events often extend past city curfews, and sometimes lead to altercations between teens. A 14 year old was shot by another teen at a Detroit teen takeover in May, underscoring risks that arise when crowds grow quickly and without supervision.
Despite instances of violence, youth behavior experts say most teens are looking for social opportunity in these gatherings. Dr. Krista Mehari of the Mott Department of Public Health at Michigan State University said Monday on 760 WJR’s ‘JR Morning, “The heavy, heavy, heavy majority of youth are just trying to make friends, be part of community, and have fun.” She added that only a small percentage of teens use the gatherings to escalate conflict, noting that “the assumption should be that these youth are not here to cause problems.”
Mehari said adults, including parents and city officials, need to look for mutually satisfactory conclusions in collaboration with teenagers when addressing potential crime and violence associated with teen takeovers. She pointed to consistency, kindness, and responsiveness as traits that build trust between adults and teenagers. For the large majority of teens looking for connection in teen takeovers, Mehari said it’s a matter of “harnessing the energy in more positive ways.”
City officials have taken similar steps. Mayor Mary Sheffield implemented initiatives this summer to redirect teen energy and foster communication between teens and adults. Her Occupy the Summer project included a midnight basketball league for young adults in Detroit and extended recreation hours at city activity centers, reflecting the city’s effort to provide structured alternatives as teen takeovers continue.
