Homewood, IL – Police closed Irwin Park on Friday evening, October 31, after a large, unsupervised crowd of more than 400 teens gathered in the area on Halloween night, according to the Homewood Police Department.
Officers reported that some participants wore full costumes while others only wore masks that concealed their identities, raising safety concerns. Authorities said social media posts earlier in the week hinted at a possible “teen takeover” planned at the park, although no official event had been scheduled.
According to police, the decision to close Irwin Park was made out of precaution as officers noted the crowd’s size and lack of supervision. The department cited similar gatherings over the summer that escalated into fights and disturbances, some even in the presence of officers. Those prior incidents caused minor injuries and alarmed nearby residents and business owners.
Homewood officers, assisted by neighboring agencies, peacefully dispersed the crowd Friday night. Officials noted that many of the teens came from towns outside of Homewood and Flossmoor.
The department said it will continue to monitor popular gathering areas and collaborate with schools, parents, and community groups to encourage safe and positive youth activities moving forward.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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