Brentwood police were aware of large teen gathering, official says
Briefly

On Friday, over 300 juveniles gathered at the Streets of Brentwood shopping center, leading to chaos that forced some stores to close. The Brentwood Police Department was aware of the planned gathering in advance and prepared extra staffing to handle potential disruptions. As the crowd grew and became destructive, the police called in allied agencies for assistance. The incidents included assaults on officers and fighting among participants. Similar gatherings occurred in other cities, raising concerns about youth safety during such events.
Captain Walter O'Grodnick mentioned that the gathering, organized through social media, was anticipated, leading to extra staffing to mitigate potential disruptions. Unfortunately, the group grew significantly and became disruptive.
Brentwood Police learned about the youth gathering a week in advance and coordinated with allied agencies to handle the situation, noting that similar gatherings can range from peaceful to chaotic.
O'Grodnick indicated that while they've managed peaceful gatherings in the past, some gatherings turn disruptive, necessitating increased resources to ensure public safety.
The situation escalated in Brentwood as individuals began engaging in disruptive behavior, which included assaults on police officers, fighting, and blocking walkways.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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