Brandon Johnson, the new mayor of Chicago, took issue with a reporter who used the term “mob action” to describe a mob of up to 400 teenagers who vandalized a 7-Eleven.
A huge mob stormed the convenience store in the South Loop just after 9 p.m. Sunday, wreaking havoc with some looting items and other destruction.
The large gathering resulted in the arrest of at least 40 people, aged 12 to 20, as police attempted to bring the situation under control.
Mayor Johnson spoke at a press conference on Wednesday on a wide range of issues, including migrants, security and the latest case of teens gathering.
But he disagreed with a reporter’s use of the phrase “mafia action” to describe the behavior of the large group, despite the fact that it is a legal term.
New Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson took issue with a reporter who used the phrase “mob action” to describe a mob of up to 400 teens who vandalized a 7-Eleven.
A huge mob stormed the convenience store in the South Loop just after 9 p.m. Sunday, wreaking havoc with some looting items and other destruction.
Mayor Brandon Johnson disagreed with the reporter’s use of the phrase “mafia action” to describe the behavior of the large group at Wednesday’s press conference — even though it is a legal term
‘That is not how it should be. We are not talking about mafia actions,” Mayor Johnson said on Wednesday.
“We have to be careful when we use language to describe behavior.
“There is history in this city. I mean, referring to kids as baby Al Capones isn’t appropriate.”
However, mob action is a criminal charge and can be brought against someone in a variety of situations.
It can apply to a group of individuals gathered to prepare to commit a crime, but it can also apply to a group of individuals actually committing a crime together.
It comes after a large group of youths descended on a 7-Eleven at 560 West Grenshaw Street on Sunday.
The store had been completely ransacked by youths throwing stolen merchandise in the air and running away with armfuls of goods.
One video shows a teenager firing a fire extinguisher near the gas tanks outside the store.
Jonathan Nowak, the owner of the vandalized 7-Eleven store, recounted it ABCChicago“The teen mobs is something that needs to be taken seriously, and I’d like to talk to him (Mayor Johnson) about it.
‘Because I don’t think anything is being done about it yet.’
Chicago police made at least 40 arrests after the group “became disorderly and ignored multiple police verbal orders to disperse.”
Most people were charged with reckless behavior, but others face more serious charges.
The large rally resulted in the arrest of at least 40 people, aged 12 to 20, as police tried to bring the situation under control
One video shows a teenager firing a fire extinguisher near the gas tanks outside the store
The store was completely turned upside down by youths throwing stolen goods in the air and running away with arms full of goods
A 15-year-old was slapped with a charge of unlawful possession of a concealed weapon, as well as possession of an illegal weapon accessory and a charge of disorderly conduct.
While a 17-year-old was charged with the felony of unlawful possession of an automatic weapon along with possession of a high-capacity magazine.
Others received tickets for criminal violations, resisting arrest, obstructing identification and curfew violations.
Interim Superintendent Fred Waller said police had no choice but to carry out mass arrests.
“Our attitude has been permissive, and when we say it’s a curfew and we ask them to leave, they usually do,” he said at a briefing on Monday. “Yesterday they kind of crossed the line.”
“The arrests are a result of the actions. Before asking them to move, we asked them to go home. It was curfew, and they did.
This time they refused. They started fighting each other.
“We didn’t arrest people like that, but this group got so out of hand that we had no choice.”
Mayor Johnson praised the Chicago Police Department for how officers handled the situation.
Police estimated up to 400 people were in the group on Sunday, arriving after a ‘trend’ announcement on social media
Interim Superintendent Fred Waller said police had no choice but to carry out mass arrests
Johnson claimed his administration is working with community groups that have helped prevent some of the city’s major youth gatherings
“I believe they have tried to the best of their ability to engage with our young people, with community partners – by warning as much as possible,” he said.
“And you know, unfortunately there have been arrests. Unfortunately, some damage has been done.
“And the level of sensitivity and patience our officers showed, I’m grateful for that.”
Police estimated that up to 400 people were in the group on Sunday, arriving after a ‘trend’ announcement on social media.
Johnson, who took over from previous Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot in May, claimed his administration is working with community groups that have helped prevent some of the city’s major youth gatherings.
Chicago’s overall crime rate is up 36 percent year-to-date from 2022.
About 32,204 crimes were committed in 2022, but that number has now risen to 43,677 according to the latest crime statistics.