Jacksonville Beach police brace for another teen takeover as business owners worry about more violence after five teens were shot last weekend.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Beach police said they’re preparing for another potential teen takeover, just one week after a similar gathering ended with five teens shot.
Now, business owners said the repeated violence is taking a serious toll.
On Friday, vendors were setting up for the Jax Night Market, a family-friendly event scheduled from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. The market is meant to bring the community together, but some vendors said they’re worried another large, unsanctioned teen gathering could disrupt the event and threaten what they worked hard for.
Fernando Meza, a former Jacksonville Beach council member and owner of The Wreck, didn’t hold back when describing his frustration.
“I think it’s disrespectful. I think it’s the most irresponsible thing ever for a promoter, actually a fake promoter, to do that, to take advantage of our beautiful beaches.”
Earlier this month, a similar situation unfolded at the Avenues Mall in Jacksonville. Shots were fired during another large gathering, sending shoppers running for safety.
Emir Goloman, owner of Hello Boba inside the mall, said he witnessed the chaos firsthand.
“It was really scary at the end of everything. I mean, you saw shoes everywhere and shopping bags, and it’s unfortunate.”
Goloman is now setting up at the Night Market and says he hopes history doesn’t repeat itself.
“Because I just don’t want the teen takeovers to end up messing it up for everybody. You do have those situations of gun violence.”
He says teens gathering isn’t the issue; the violence is.
“It’s okay for teens to come together and have a good time, but keep it safe and don’t play with guns. That’s the biggest thing.”
Commander Thomas Crumley with the Jacksonville Beach Police Department said officers are increasing patrols ahead of the weekend and urged parents to be involved.
“The violence tends to follow all these events, and you know, you urge them to stay away from those things.”
Meza says accountability starts at home.
“It brings bad business here, and it ruins not just the business for the whole week but for the whole year because they continue to do it, and it’s disrespectful, and they need to be held accountable.”
Jacksonville Beach police say residents and visitors should expect a heavier law enforcement presence this weekend.
A social media post from a promoter mentioned in a prior police report also suggests another gathering could happen on March 7 at the beaches, and another one in Riverside. Police said they’re monitoring online activity closely.