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A Christian leader and commentator says there are two driving forces behind the viral "teen takeovers," and there is no secular solution.
This would be true in many ills of our culture.
Gangs of black teens are occupying parks, restaurants, and intersections across the nation, destroying property and openly defying law enforcement.
Be informed, not misled.
A distinguished figure in the law enforcement community says thousands of rowdy teens are taking over intersections, malls, and restaurants because they have been conditioned to believe they can get away with it.
Chicago has seen multiple incidents in the last couple of months, including a Memorial Day weekend gathering involving 18-year-old Rashad Johnson, who has been charged with five counts of attempted first-degree murder and other felonies after running over and hospitalizing five law enforcement officers.
American Family Network reports this:
In downtown Tampa, Florida, a large "takeover" on May 8 resulted in 22 arrests. In Washington, DC, families dove for cover at a Navy Yard Chipotle on May 16 when teenagers began throwing chairs and fighting inside the restaurant.
Chaotic scenes have also unfolded at a Georgia beach pier, a downtown Detroit entertainment district, and a Wisconsin shopping mall.
"These are not harmless gatherings. They are violent, and they are disruptive," U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said after the footage of the Chipotle takeover went viral. "It was a takeover of a restaurant by individuals who felt that they could get away with it."
The trend accelerated in spring 2026, especially after February and March, when social media-organized "mall takeovers" started drawing national attention, and Lieutenant Randy Sutton (Ret.) of The Wounded Blue says it is the result of lax law enforcement.
"We've had years of no consequences for criminal conduct, allowing people to attack law enforcement, whitewashed and people not held accountable," he laments. "Taking responsibility seems to be a very minor part of the thought process."
Meanwhile, he says the responding officers would have been justified in using deadly force on several occasions.
"These officers who were run over and attacked by this driver who used his vehicle as a deadly weapon, they had every right to use deadly force and kill him," Sutton insists.
He also agrees with the judges who have threatened to hold the parents of the lawless teenagers responsible.
As summer approaches, law enforcement agencies and city leaders across the country warn that the viral trend shows little sign of slowing down. The New York Post reports that officials in several cities have responded with increased patrols, curfews, and mass arrests, while others are pushing for expanded youth programs and tougher accountability for parents whose children are caught participating in the chaos.
The Post lists five teen takeovers that made headlines across the nation recently. Check it out.
No secular solution
The mainstream media is content to report on the growing trend, but Bishop E.W. Jackson, an American pastor, author and conservative political commentator known for his work in both religious ministry and public policy advocacy, says they are omitting the fact that these riots are almost exclusively comprised of black teenagers."These kids have no respect for authority. They have no respect for property. They have no respect for people because they're willing to attack people who've done nothing to them," he laments.
He believes the breakdown of the family is one of the two factors behind this trend.
"There's something terrible going on in terms of the breakdown of the family," Bishop Jackson submits. "The family is where you learn respect for authorities."
Meanwhile, the Left and Democratic leaders have created an atmosphere based off claims that "the world is out to get us" and the supposed lack of social justice.
"When you believe in this sort of victimology, you can justify anything," he summarizes.
Takeaway
He has a twofold solution.
1."We have to be involved," Bishop Jackson says. "We have to engage. We have to vote. We have to support candidates. We have to speak up against wrong public policy."
But ultimately, he says there is no secular solution.
2. "We need God to add his super to our natural. We've got to pray and really take spiritual authority in these situations, make some biblical declarations on what is right and what is wrong and what God will accept and what God will not accept," the Christian leader concludes.
Amen!
Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Bold. Be Engaged. Be Prayerful.
