After ‘teen takeovers,’ county government hosts events with basketball, DJ
Mecklenburg County is hoping to attract youth to new Teen Summer Jams on Fridays with a flashy poster promising an “epic” and “unforgettable” summer, and featuring images of a basketball player and DJ.
The events, put on by the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department, will run each week from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Eastway Regional Recreation Center.
“With music, basketball, games and more, it is a great way to celebrate summer with your friends,” the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said on social media.
The events are described as “teens only,” open to anyone between 13 and 18-years-old, according to the parks and rec department.
Space is limited. Registration for the July 17 event is already full and a waitlist was opened. Spots are still available for the July 24 and 31 events, according to the parks and rec department website.
The basketball league, which happens at each event, is at capacity with 140 players, county spokesperson Britt Clampitt said Monday by email. Additionally, there are 180 available slots at each event for non-players.
The Teen Summer Pool Jam, which is happening on Aug. 7, is available to 250 teens, Clampitt said.
‘Teen takeovers’
The teen events come as the city, county and police look at tackling the issue of so-called “teen takeovers.” They occur in downtowns, public spaces and shopping centers and are organized through social media.
Camp North End put a curfew in place after a large gathering of teens in April. But business owners at the shopping center have questioned the effectiveness of the curfew, telling The Charlotte Observer in May that they’ve seen a decline in business since.
While not always violent, injuries have been reported at the takeovers.
CMPD said in a press release Monday that it was preemptively able to stop a “teen takeover” planned at the University City Boardwalk on Saturday.
CMPD “officers were able to safely manage and disperse the crowd of approximately 200-300 juveniles,” the press release said.
Police charged 12 teens with, among other things, curfew violations, resisting and delaying justice, and assault on a government official. The department also charged 10 parents with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
No one was injured, CMPD said.
This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 12:57 PM.
