'Operation Go Home' To Combat Teen Takeovers In Fulton Town

SOUTH FULTON, GA — Amid teen takeovers that normally end in arrests in metro Atlanta, South Fulton leaders say they are taking action against these events in efforts to protect the youth.

The City of South Fulton on Wednesday launched "Operation Go Home," which includes the continuation of youth curfews.

The initiative was put into place to promote accountability, visibility and prevention as the summer months approach, said Dr. Cedric Alexander, interim public safety director.

Components of "Operation Go Home" are:

● Increased patrol presence and visibility throughout the city;

● Enhanced social media monitoring and cross-jurisdictional intelligence gathering to identify potential illegal gatherings and teen takeover events;

● Reinforcement of juvenile curfew laws and expectations; and

● Continued emphasis on parental accountability and engagement.

"We want our kids to be safe," Alexander said at a Wednesday news conference. "We want them to have a good time, but illegal activity, we're not going to tolerate at the slightest."

Teen takeovers are large gatherings of youths that have caused local authorities across metro Atlanta to quickly respond. These gatherings are being promoted on social media and have hit areas in Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton, Henry and Douglas counties.

Alexander noted the takeovers have also scattered across the U.S., moving from the West Coast and eastward.

Metro Atlanta authorities previously reported several adults and juveniles have faced charges in connection with these events.

Nearly 20 people were arrested at a takeover at The Battery Atlanta, and Atlanta Police have reported a number of arrests in the city.

A takeover was thwarted after being planned in March at Welcome All Park in South Fulton, along with two senior skip days, police said in a series of social media posts.

"Teen takeovers are not something new," Alexander said. "... Our goal is to make sure that young people who are out to have a good time can have a good time, but those that have other intentions, they will be dealt with."

He added modern teenagers have more access to tools, such as social media, to organize these meet-ups. Social media brings both benefits and challenges, Alexander said.

He noted if a young person commits a crime, they will be arrested.

"We really have no interest in being punitive toward anyone," he said. "What we do have interest (in), where we will take a stand ... (is) making sure they are where they're supposed to be."

He encouraged parents to know where their children are and says there is a responsibility to keep the kids safe.

The mandatory youth curfew in South Fulton is as follows: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The exception to the curfew is being out and about for work.

"Our curfew exists to protect our young people, to ensure that they are in safe spaces with trusted adults during the hours when risk of harm is the greatest," Gumbs said. " ... This initiative is about meeting our young people where they are and steering them toward safety and opportunity before crisis occurs."

She added investing in young people is investing in South Fulton's future.

Local authorities have identified places where teenagers can alternatively have fun without a takeover in Georgia. This includes South Fulton's Youth Athletic Associations.

The Georgia Department of Labor also offers job shadowing.

RELATED:

• 'Teen Takeover' In Douglasville Planned For Local Park

• 'Teen Takeovers' Spark Action Among Metro ATL Leaders, Businesses
• 2 'Teen Takeover' Organizers Arrested, Cobb Police Say
• 17 Arrested In 'Teen Takeover' At The Battery Atlanta