Torrance police warn public about planned ‘takeover’ at Del Amo Fashion Center
Austin Turner
Police are warning that yet another planned youth “takeover” at a local mall could be in the works for Saturday.
In a statement posted on social media, the Torrance Police Department said youth from around Los Angeles County are planning to take over the Del Amo Fashion Center on Saturday.
Police Chief Jay Hart pointed toward last week’s gathering at The Pike Outlets in Long Beach, where about 200 young people gathered for a planned fight between two females. A boy was shot nearby, though he is expected to recover.
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
Long Beach Police intervened after a fight broke out among two juveniles at The Pike Outlets in Long Beach on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)
Two females got into a fistfight at the Long Beach Pike Outlets as several hundred juveniles in the area arrived for a meetup. Long Beach Police broke up the fight and patrolled the area on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)
Long Beach Police intervened after a fight broke out among two juveniles at The Pike Outlets in Long Beach on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)
Long Beach Police intervened after a fight broke out among two juveniles at The Pike Outlets in Long Beach on March 16, 2024. (OC Hawk)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
New video shows the chaos that erupted at Del Amo Fashion Center when a brawl involving teenagers sent shoppers fleeing. Aug. 27, 2023 (Wilmington Chronicles)
Video captured good Samaritan Maurice Hardy (in a dark blue shirt) rescuing a boy from a violent brawl at the Del Amo Fashion Center on August 29, 2023. (Maurice Hardy)
Police respond to activity at the Del Amo Fashion Mall in Torrance on Aug. 27, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
Authorities respond after a violent brawl broke out at the Del Amo Fashion Center on August 29, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
Video captured good Samaritan Maurice Hardy (in a dark blue shirt) rescuing a boy from a violent brawl at the Del Amo Fashion Center on August 29, 2023. (Maurice Hardy)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
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Hart said Torrance police are being proactive to prevent similar outcomes on Saturday.
“We remain committed, in partnership with Del Amo Fashion Center leadership, to providing a safe experience for all visitors,” he said. “We will not accept criminal behavior, and our Department will have zero tolerance for those who come to our community and cause harm.”
Del Amo introduced a controversial chaperone policy earlier this month. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older at all times after 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. One adult can accompany up to four minors.
That policy came as a response to an incident in December when as many as 1,000 juveniles gathered at Del Amo, causing police in riot gear to respond. Officers made five arrests.
Torrance police said on Friday that road closures may be necessary if the gathering becomes large enough on Saturday.
