PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Local law enforcement officers are very familiar with so-called “Teen Takeovers.” The disturbances have been getting a lot more attention lately after popping up in Clearwater, Daytona, and Miami.

Florida’s attorney general is now offering more resources to local governments.

“When we put you in handcuffs, and you’re saying that you’re sorry, that’s not going to be enough,” Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez said.

State officials are stepping in to put a stop to the “Teen Takeovers” that have been spread to some of Florida’s major cities. It’s something Bay County has battled for years.

“I kind of feel like these teen takeovers were invented here. Infamously, the one we had around 2021, where we made 150 arrests in two nights and seized 75 illegal guns, was kind of a watershed moment for us. But this is somewhat of a recent national phenomenon,” Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said.

“I think what the rest of the country has seen is what we’ve been dealing with for the past couple of years, and I think we all know we’re ahead of the curve,” Talamantez said.

The “Teen Takeovers” generally begin with a flyer posted on social media advertising the event.

The consequences for organizing these events are about to get more extreme for offenders.

Attorney General James Uthmeier directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to provide tools to local police and sheriff’s offices.

“We’ll be pursuing every tool we’ve got to go after the larger operators who are spending money to create these dangerous situations. People out there think they’re going to get away with it and hide behind a screen, hide behind social media. No, we’re going to be looking at digital footprints,” Uthmeier said.

The OSP will help obtain records, provide legal expertise, case referrals and direct prosecution.

“We work closely with our local state attorney because to be honest, most of these are going to be prosecuted locally. But it’s always good to have the statewide backing and exposure on these issues,” Ford said.

Violators could be charged with the same crimes that are committed by the teenage offenders. They could also face conspiracy charges.

“Just because you’re a kid, does not mean you’re going to be able to just do anything you want to do without consequence. We hear it all the time. I’m just a kid. You can’t take me to jail. I’m just a kid. What are you going to do? Well, you’re about to find out,” Talamantez said.

Uthmeier is also reminding local agencies that Florida has a relatively new that increases penalties for offenses committed during a riot.

“You do not have a First Amendment right to stand in the middle of the street, obstruct traffic and threaten violence. You do not. If you do that, people have the ability to run you over. If you do that, you’ll be arrested. If you do that, we will bring strong prosecutions. We will keep our streets safe,” Uthmeier said.

Florida counties are beginning to launch special event zones, a regulation already in place in Bay County during high-impact periods.

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