Westchester police stay vigilant after teen takeover at Bronx's Bay Plaza Mall
Police departments all over Westchester County say they are staying vigilant a day after a large teen takeover at Bay Plaza Mall in The Bronx. Eighteen people were arrested. Melanie Palmer has more.
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Police departments across Westchester County say they are on heightened alert a day after a large teen takeover at Bay Plaza Mall in the Bronx that resulted in 18 arrests.
Since the incident, social media posts have circulated about potential teen takeovers in Westchester. Police in Yonkers, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and at the county level have issued messages saying they are monitoring the situation and remaining vigilant.
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“The Department of Public Safety and its Real Time Crime Intelligence Center are monitoring social media activity and working with municipal law enforcement partners to discourage so‑called teen ‘takeovers’ of retail venues and other public spaces,” the Westchester County Police Department said in a release. “In addition, the department’s patrol officers are prepared to respond to assist any municipality if needed in the event a disruptive takeover occurs.”
Police are urging parents to speak with their children.
“These parents need to teach their kids what’s right and what’s wrong. This is wrong,” said Denise Shockley of New Rochelle.
Police say the takeovers are not only disruptive but can be dangerous.
“Think twice. We have long‑established, well‑practiced procedures in place for situations like this,” the Yonkers Police Department said in a post. “We are fully prepared to respond to any level of unrest. Our department has significant personnel, specialized units and regional partnerships ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. We have a responsibility to protect our residents, our business owners and their property — and we approach that responsibility with seriousness, resolve and zero hesitation.”
