Alders consider parent accountability ordinance after 3 shot near Hyde Park takeover, 53 arrested

CHICAGO (WLS) -- From day into the night, Memorial Day weekend closed out with a teen takeover at 57th Street Beach in Hyde Park.

Several people were arrested, and three people were shot nearby. The shooting happened around 10 p.m. Monday in the 1600-block of East 55th Street.

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Three men, an 18-year-old and two 19-year-olds, were standing outside at a large gathering when they heard gunshots and felt pain, police said.

The 18-year-old was shot in the hand, police said. One of the 19-year-olds was shot in the leg, and the other was shot in the hip.

All three victims ended up at the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.

No other injuries were reported, and Area One detectives are investigating.

Police have released surveillance images of a suspect wearing a black sweater with white writing on the sleeves with blue pants or jeans, black and white gym shoes, a black ski mask, and a dark-colored backpack.

CPD said 53 people were arrested in connection with Monday's teen takeover. Thirteen people, including eight juveniles, were charged with felonies.

Seven boys -- a 14-year-old, a 15-year-old, a 16-year-old, and four 17-year-olds -- are charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. A 16-year-old girl is charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer.

Police said 21 people, including 10 juveniles, were charged with disorderly conduct for failure to obey an order to disperse and one juvenile was charged with disorderly conduct for breach of peace.

Seven people, including five juveniles, were charged with a misdemeanor count of reckless conduct.

This is not the first time violence has broken out at or near a teen gathering. For the past couple of years, the so called "teen trends" have been a thorn in the side for police.

Some Chicago City Council members have had enough. There is growing support to pass ordinances aimed at curbing teen takeovers through parent accountability.

Public Safety Committee Chairman Ald. Brian Hopkins has been trying to give police more tools, like an earlier teen curfew, but Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is against it. Hopkins says as the teen trends continue, more of his colleagues support curfews and other measures.

"We need to do everything we can to put a stop to these events, and that means giving the police all the tools that they could possibly bring to bear," Hopkins said. "It's their voters that are calling and demanding something be done."

During a city club appearance last week, CPD Supt. Larry Snelling said it is time to stop making excuses for the teenagers who participate.

"There has to be accountability. The failure here is that when we don't put accountability on teenagers, because teenagers need it more than anybody," Snelling said.

That means having the tools to make arrests, and there is a growing call from Snelling, alderpersons, and the mayor to make parents accountable. Because the teen trends gain steam on social media, St. Sabina's youth organizer, Lamar Johnson, says many parents are aware and even enable their kids.

"The majority of parents, not all, but majority of these parents know exactly what their teens are doing, know where they are, Uber, and them taking them down there," Johnson said.

Alderpersons are working on a parent accountability ordinance that could hold them responsible if they allow their child to engage in criminal activity.

In addition, the city council is working on a social media ordinance that will allow police to work with companies to remove posts that could potentially result in violent behavior.

The social media ordinance has a long way to go. Alderpersons and the mayor's office must work out language that does not violate the First Amendment.

Meanwhile, CPD said there are plans for another teen takeover in Hyde Park on Tuesday night. The department said additional officers will be in the area.