Teen takeover reported in Chicago's Loop prompts curfew enforcement, alderman says

Chicago teen takeover prompts curfew enforcement, alderman says

A reported teen takeover in Chicago's Loop led to a curfew order Wednesday night.

CHICAGO - A reported teen takeover in Chicago’s Loop Wednesday night led to a curfew enforcement order, according to an alderman, though police have not confirmed the details.

What we know:

Reports describe a large group of teens gathering in the Loop near State and Lake streets.

Ald. Brian Hopkins said the situation was "out of control" before a curfew enforcement order was issued at 10 p.m. He said the crowd was partially dispersed by 10:40 p.m. and that the order had an "immediate impact."

A private security group, the Community Intelligence Unit, reported multiple fights broke out and that one teen was beaten unconscious.

The group also reported that teens climbed on vehicles, bear mace was used at some point, and that several minors were detained.

What they're saying:

Justin Peters is with ChiTown Crime Chasers and witnessed the chaos unfold.

"We got about two-three hundred kids, running back and forth, jumping on cars, just fighting, taunting the police. And it got pretty bad to the point, me and my team actually witnessed the little boy getting stomped out, unconscious, and I had to render aid to him. We had to call an ambulance for this boy," Peters said.

"It's frustrating. This is something that's been happening quite a lot lately. This is the third month of the year and we've had several teen takeovers, especially in the downtown area... More shootings, kids getting shot. The boy that I mentor got shot at the last teen takeover. So, it's devastating."

What we don't know:

Chicago police have not confirmed any details about the gathering, including whether there were injuries, arrests or property damage.

What's next:

This all comes as the City Council is still working to pass a revised curfew ordinance aimed at preventing teen takeovers.

The new ordinance would allow Chicago police to give a 30-minute warning to disperse the crowd, instead of the previously proposed 12 hours. And before issuing any citations, officers would be required to ask the person's age and why they are out.

Several aldermen have been pushing for this, especially after past teen gatherings turned violent and some deadly.