Blue Cypress Park was filled with over 200 teens Wednesday night, and Jacksonville community members are concerned the gatherings will continue to breed violence.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Community members in Arlington said they’re frustrated, concerned, and looking for answers after another teen takeover turned violent at Blue Cypress Park.

While the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate what happened Wednesday night, the people who use the park every day say the impact is already being felt.

Carlton McKenzie walks in the park regularly. For him, this isn’t just about one night of chaos; it’s about losing access to a space he depends on.

“It’s bad because it makes things bad for people like myself,” McKenzie said. “If they come out here and the park is closed, we can’t utilize the facilities.”

He said seeing the park shut down after the incidents was frustrating, especially when it’s something meant for the entire community.

McKenzie believes part of the problem comes down to supervision.

“Kids aren’t being monitored, and sometimes kids do what they want to do.”

But others said what’s happening goes beyond boredom or lack of structure.

Joanna Ale, founder of TSI Cares Network, said these gatherings point to something deeper.

“The teens are looking to be heard,” Ale said. “Something is off, something is wrong, and they’re trying to tell us, maybe the only way they know how.”

She says instead of only focusing on punishment, there needs to be more attention on why teens are organizing in the first place.

And she points out, organizing hundreds of people isn’t easy.

“Great job being able to organize a large-scale event, that’s hard,” Ale said. “So imagine what these kids could do if that energy was channeled in a positive direction.”

Still, for neighbors like McKenzie, there’s concern about what happens in the moment, when crowds grow, and situations escalate.

He said being part of a large group can quickly lead to decisions teens wouldn’t normally make.

“Once you get with the crowd, sometimes you do things you wish you had not done,” he said. “And sometimes it’s too late.”