Police are bracing for a potential “teen night takeover” at a mall in Manchester for the second week in a row.
Plans of the takeover have been circulating on social media, suggesting it will take place Saturday at the Shoppes at Buckland Hills, according to the Manchester Police Department.
Police said they will deploy extra officers to the mall and coordinate with the Buckland Hills management and security in an effort to deter the unsanctioned gathering. This is the second weekend in a row police said they learned of a potential takeover event at the mall.
“There will be zero tolerance for unlawful behavior,” the police department wrote in a statement.
“We strongly encourage parents and guardians to speak with their children and discuss the dangers of being associated with such events,” police said. “We also ask ride-share drivers to avoid transporting unaccompanied minors to the mall.”
Mall takeovers have become a social media trend across the nation in recent weeks and months, but police are warning about the potential danger involved.
“These viral gatherings have proven unpredictable, raising significant public safety concerns for everyone,” the police department said.
Last month, two juveniles were taken into custody after Farmington and West Hartford police responded to Westfarms mall on the report of a large gathering inside. Police said a “significant” number of juveniles refused to leave the premises and had to be removed.
The two minors were taken into custody following a physical altercation, police said.
Information from Courant reporter Sean Krofssik was used in this report.