Overview
- Tampa police arrested 22 people, ages 12 to 21, after Friday’s Curtis Hixon Park “takeover,” with charges that include affray (public fighting), drug offenses, resisting, and unlawful gun possession.
- Officers seized two firearms and a vehicle and say bike, patrol, and air units broke up multiple fights that spilled into nearby streets and disrupted traffic.
- Body-worn and aerial video released by the department shows large brawls, crowds running through traffic, and officers moving in to make arrests.
- Chief Lee Bercaw says officers are tracking flyers for two more planned gatherings this weekend and will deploy a larger downtown presence prepared to make additional arrests.
- City leaders are urging parents to monitor teens’ plans and are promoting a supervised Friday night event at the NFL YET Center, while noting similar takeovers in Orlando and other cities have pushed some communities to consider curfews.