Arrests, injuries during massive Bay Area teen parties; residents concerned about police response

Hundreds of teenagers gathered in strip mall parking lots across the Bay Area for Friday night parties, resulting in fights and significant trash being left behind. Multiple arrests occurred in Brentwood, while two people were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries from the incident in Alameda.

At the South Shore Center parking lot in Alameda, witnesses described an intense scene involving around 300 teens, loud noises initially thought to be gunshots (though police said this was unclear), heavy drinking, and numerous fights. Keith Theige, a nearby resident, reported seeing multiple fights, including one where a young woman was pulled to a car by friends after being involved. Other witnesses stated they saw about a dozen fights near the mall entrance and teens jumping on cars and pounding on windows. Emergency medical services staged nearby but reportedly did not immediately enter, while police used a bullhorn to address the crowd.

Brentwood experienced a similar situation the same day at Sand Creek Crossing, where police reported a group of over 300 teens, some arriving via rideshare, from outside the area. This gathering also involved fights and items being knocked off store shelves, leading to five arrests.

Residents expressed concern about the lack of safe spaces for teens and the potential for violence in such large, uncontrolled gatherings. Theige specifically questioned the police response in Alameda, noting the presence of fighting yet no apparent arrests made at that location. Alameda police characterized their incident as isolated, while Brentwood police termed theirs a "link up" and are investigating another possible meet-up being discussed online. Brentwood police are also planning a meeting to discuss these "teen takeovers."