MILWAUKEE – Police and business owners across Milwaukee are responding to a nationwide trend of teen takeovers after recent gatherings turned chaotic.

What we know:

In the past few days, large gatherings organized by teens and promoted on social media led to arrests at Bayshore and Moody Park. 

Glendale police said at least 13 people were arrested Sunday after Bayshore was overrun. Police also arrested a teen at Moody Park after gunshots were fired during a gathering.

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On Tuesday, police monitored another possible takeover at 3rd St. Market Hall after a digital flyer circulated online.

Owner Omar Shaikh said security was increased as a precaution. Officers were stationed at entrances and certain doors were locked. Security also checked IDs for anyone appearing under 18.

Shaikh said new policies are now in place at 3rd St. Market Hall. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian, and only people 21 or older will be allowed after 8 p.m.

What they’re saying:

Community intervention groups, including 414Life, were also present.

“A lot of our youth are in survival mode and having trained professionals as a mentor that identify with their struggles is key to how we shift them from being in survival mode, to more of a life,” said David Sinclair, 414Life outreach director.

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The Milwaukee Police Department also monitored possible gatherings at Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5 after another social media post circulated. Police said things remained quiet in those areas Tuesday night.

Community advocates say providing alternatives is key to preventing violence.

“For the youth that are participating in some of this violence in our community, I think that’s a call for help,” said Deputy Kristine Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office. “I think it’s definitely something all of us as community partners need to come together.” 

Thunderstorms are sweeping through Milwaukee to close out March before April showers kick off the rest of the week. 

MILWAUKEE – A routine Lyft pickup turned violent for a Milwaukee driver early Saturday morning, March 28.

What they’re saying:

Candice Kozinski says she finished her day job Friday night, took a nap, and then went out to drive Lyft to earn extra money. Hours later, she says she picked up a group of riders near 41st and Hampton.

Kozinski says the situation quickly escalated.

“All the sudden he was like get out, and I was like, okay, huge red flag,” she said.

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Kozinski says one of the riders then pulled out a gun.

“The other guy had a gun in my ribs here and said, ‘Get out the f—ing car, I am going to shoot you’ – they are all screaming,” Kozinski said.

She says the group dragged her out of her vehicle and drove away.

“Tried to flag people down after they sped off and no one stopped,” Kozinski said.

She says she eventually found help and contacted police.

Dig deeper:

Investigators say the suspects were later spotted driving the vehicle near National Avenue in Walker’s Point. Police say the suspects led officers on a chase reaching speeds of 90 to 100 miles per hour before officers lost sight of the vehicle.

Police later found the vehicle abandoned near 40th and Hadley.

“There’s a chip on the windshield,” Kozinski said. “Breaks shot because of the high-speed chase.”

Kozinski says she suffered bruises and is also dealing with emotional trauma.

“Obviously, mental trauma, traumatizing for anybody,” Kozinski said. “Just like everyone else, I was trying to make ends meet. Yeah, I don’t like having to do gig jobs like this, but it was temporary until I found something else.”

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What you can do:

Kozinski has created a GoFundMe to help cover repair costs for her vehicle.

What they’re saying:

The Milwaukee Police Department says no arrests have been made.

Lyft provided the following statement:

“We are deeply troubled by this incident, which has no place in the Lyft community or in our society. We’re working with law enforcement and have permanently banned the rider account involved, and have reached out to the driver to offer support.”

By the numbers:

MPD’s crime data shows carjackings are down about 40 percent so far this year and have dropped nearly 50 percent over the past two years, from 2024 to 2025.