Chaos Erupts as Hundreds of Teens Invade Pool, Mall for ‘Likes’ [WATCH]

A surge in disruptive teenage gatherings across the United States is drawing attention from law enforcement and parents alike, with two recent incidents in Illinois and California prompting arrests, business closures, and public safety warnings.

On July 5, Glen Ellyn Police in Illinois responded to a large disturbance at a local park district pool after receiving reports of a growing crowd of teenagers and young adults.

Authorities estimated between 200 and 300 individuals had gathered by approximately 5 p.m., according to an official statement from the department.

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Police said many of the attendees entered the pool facility without paying, and several were reportedly smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol, and setting off fireworks.

Body camera footage obtained by Fox News Digital showed responding officers attempting to control the situation and disperse the crowd.

“It seems like a horde of kids have just come in, smoking marijuana, carrying coolers in,” one caller told 911, according to WGN9.

Witnesses reported that the teens were playing loud music with explicit lyrics using portable speakers.

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In the video footage, an officer is seen speaking to the pool manager, who stated that the group was “not listening to the lifeguards.”

The situation escalated when the crowd allegedly shoved the pool manager into the water.

“They just pushed me in,” the manager told officers.

“I need to get them all out.”

Police began clearing the pool, ordering teens to leave the property. “Go home,” one officer said. “The property is closed.”

Tensions continued to rise as a firework was ignited within the area, prompting additional warnings from officers.

One person was arrested for setting off fireworks, and the pool was closed for the remainder of the day.

A similar disturbance occurred less than a week later in Brentwood, California.

On July 11, more than 300 juveniles converged on a local shopping plaza, according to the Brentwood Police Department.

Authorities stated the group arrived via rideshare and other transportation from outside the immediate area.

Several juveniles reportedly became unruly, engaged in fights, disrupted merchandise inside businesses, and ran into traffic.

Police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle after receiving reports of a possible firearm, prompting officers to approach the driver with guns drawn.

No weapon was found during the search.

As the situation escalated, officers issued dispersal orders, and multiple businesses chose to close early for safety.

One juvenile was arrested for battery on a police officer, and four others were arrested on various misdemeanor charges.

“It was the cops chasing the kids around, the kids fighting and then it just got rowdier and rowdier,” one witness told Fox KTVU.

“I mean, my daughter is on social media. She’s a teen, and she saw it days before I did, but, yeah, I don’t know if the cops thought it was going to be as crazy as it was.”

Police said the gathering had been organized in advance through social media platforms.

In the Glen Ellyn incident, body camera footage showed one teen telling an officer the event was promoted on TikTok.

Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert told Fox News Digital the phenomenon of teens organizing chaotic gatherings through social media is not a harmless trend.

“What’s happening with large groups of teens overrunning malls and public spaces isn’t just ‘kids being kids,’” Alpert said.

“It’s a symptom of a deeper cultural breakdown, and unless we’re willing to address it, these flash mobs will only get worse.”

Alpert noted a lack of structure, accountability, and discipline as contributing factors to the rise in disruptive behavior.

“As a psychotherapist, I see a generation raised without enough structure,” he said.

“Too many parents have been afraid to say ‘no,’ schools hesitate to discipline and society tiptoes around holding young people accountable.”

Alpert also emphasized the role of social media in enabling and encouraging such gatherings.

“These gatherings aren’t spontaneous. They’re staged for likes, shares and clout. The behavior escalates because there are no real consequences,” he said.

He urged parents, law enforcement, and businesses to act collaboratively to restore order and prevent future incidents.

“Businesses and communities must crack down with clear, consistent enforcement,” Alpert said.

“But let’s not pretend this is just a policing issue. It’s a parenting issue. It’s a cultural issue. And unless adults step up and model respect for rules and shared spaces, we’ll keep seeing teens treating public areas like their personal playgrounds.”