Update from BPD:
At about 4:52 PM, on Sunday, August 27, 2023, officers assigned to Districts C-6 (South Boston), C-11 (Dorchester), B-2 (Roxbury), and D-4 (South End) arrested multiple Juveniles in the South Bay Mall area.
Officers responded to the area of 36 District Avenue for a report of a fight, involving a large group. Officers observed the large group of juveniles causing disturbances. Multiple Juveniles failed to disperse from the area and became confrontational with officers. As officers attempted to apprehend suspects, they were met with resistance by other juveniles who began to assault officers. Officers requested assistance from multiple Districts and the Massachusetts State Police.
In total, eight juveniles were placed under arrest and expected to be arraigned in Boston Juvenile Court for the following charges;
12-year-old juvenile female was charged with; Delinquent to wit; Assault and Battery.
12-year-old juvenile male was charged with; Delinquent to wit; Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Affray, and Disorderly Conduct.
14-year-old juvenile female was charged with; Delinquent to wit; Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Affray, and Disorderly Conduct.
14-year-old juvenile male was charged with; Delinquent to wit; Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, and Disturbing the Peace.
14-year-old juvenile male was charged with; Delinquent to wit; Disorderly Conduct.
14-year-old juvenile male was charged with; Delinquent to wit; Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Disturbing the Peace, and Resisting Arrest.
17-year-old juvenile female was charged with; Delinquent to wit; Assault and Battery.
17-year-old juvenile male was charged with; Delinquent to wit; Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Disturbing the Peace, and Resisting Arrest.
Original Post:
According to Boston police, a large fight broke out Sunday afternoon at South Bay Mall in Dorchester involving hundreds of teens.
Via Citizen app
BPD responded to the mall shortly before 5pm for a report of a large fight. Multiple people were arrested. The disturbance happened inside of the AMC movie theater, which had to be evacuated.
Boston, MA - Video shows Boston Police from across the city as well as outside agencies once again responding to South Bay for large groups of youth fighting and attacking officers. Several have once again been arrested. Unknown on any injuries. 🎥: @spydaman617 pic.twitter.com/eTLIwLjgYR
— Live Boston (@LiveBoston617) August 27, 2023
This mall has been a hot spot for violence this summer, with many teens being arrested over the past several months. Several stores at South Bay closed early because of the chaos. According to CBS Local, Target had to stack shopping carts up behind the glass doors to ensure no one could get in.
Just a few weeks ago, police arrested four teens at the shopping center after they allegedly attacked a person and then attacked police. Earlier in August, six juveniles were arrested at South Bay. Teens also attacked a man near Downtown Crossing in August.
The Boston Globe is reporting that BPD also responded to a similar situation at 10pm on Sunday at the AMC Boston Common for a large group fighting. Emerson College sent out an email alerting students to the situation going on in the neighborhood.
BPD has not released how many arrests total resulted in the two incidents.
According to the Boston Herald, over 10 juvenile incidents have happened in the South Bay Mall since January. You can read about that here.
That was at least the tenth such major juvenile incident in the same area so far this year.
Seriously, what the heck is going on?
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
