PONTIAC, Mich. – Teen takeovers are spreading across Metro Detroit, and with them, a wave of violence.
In recent days, two separate gatherings in Detroit ended with two teens shot and injured.
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---> Teen takeover gatherings spread to Pontiac, prompting safety warnings following Detroit chaos
Now, the city of Pontiac is taking a different approach by fighting back with a city-organized event designed to give teens a safe, productive alternative.
City steps in after last week’s attempted takeover
Currently, social media posts are promoting an event that’s being labeled as part two after last Friday’s attempt.
On May 22, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deployed deputies to various intersections as teens arrived by foot and ATVs. Mayor Mike McGuinness said deputies made sure they handled the situation before anything escalated.
“It wasn’t where there was a whole lot of pile of young adults hauled away in handcuffs,” McGuinness said. “It wasn’t that dynamic. It was more making sure before anything got out of hand -- it was able to be dispersed and safe.”
City offers alternative with first-ever teen kickback
Instead of roaming downtown streets, teens ages 16 to 18 are invited to Pontiac’s first-ever Teen Kickback, held at Elektricity Friday evening.
The event will feature food, music and a video game truck, which the city said it organized with community members and the youth.
McGuinness made clear the city’s zero-tolerance stance toward disruption.
“We want all Pontiac residents to be safe, including and especially our teens, and we get very proactive police services from our Oakland County Sheriff Team,” McGuinness said in a released statement to Local 4. “We’re partnering with community members, including teens, to offer productive and safe outlets throughout the year and that includes this Friday evening. Anyone of any age trying to disrupt that or cause destruction in Pontiac is unacceptable. Pontiac is not the city you want to be acting crazy in because you will get caught.”
Residents weigh in: Opinions split on teen takeover trend
Around the city, opinions on the teen takeover movement are mixed.
Pontiac resident Danny Friendly said the violence associated with recent gatherings is troubling.
“When things get violent, they’re going to show up and do what they do,” Friendly said. “I mean, that kind of stuff does. I mean, people bring that with them.”
Jacquein Johnson-Hall, a lifelong Pontiac resident and mother of a 14-year-old, said teens in the city simply don’t have enough to do and that a well-organized event could make a real difference.
“It will be something excellent for them because they really never have anything to do in the city at Pontiac,” Johnson-Hall said. “The youth don’t, so I believe it would be some good.”
Johnson-Hall added that adult presence and oversight are critical to keeping any youth event safe.
“I believe once it’s something to do with the youth, we should have like police around and adults like me to be out to help chaperone,” she said.
Another Pontiac resident, Arieol Arnold, put the responsibility squarely on parents.
“The parents need to do something too,” Arnold said. “The parents step up and put their kids in some activities -- get off TikTok and making videos. It won’t be no teen takeover.”
What to expect Friday night
The city is actively monitoring the situation. A separate, unofficial online flyer is also circulating for another teen takeover in the area.
The Teen Kickback at Elektricity is open to teens ages 16 to 18.