A scheduled “takeover” at South Shore Plaza in Braintree, Massachusetts, was prevented Friday as law enforcement lined the parking lot Friday.
Police in Braintree warned the public about the event, which was advertised on social media as a “Braintree Mall takeover” at 7 p.m.
Police said they had known about the event for a few days. They prepared by having police cruisers, trucks and bicycles in place.
Local police, state police, a SWAT team and a mobile command center were on the scene as a precaution.
Braintree police say they became aware on Tuesday of a planned event through a social media post advertising a “Braintree Mall takeover” scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.
A takeover is typically a mass gathering where cars literally take over a street intersection or a parking lot, doing donuts and driving recklessly while people stand around videotaping the whole thing for social media.
The Braintree Police Department said its primary concern was public safety, noting that events promoted like this on social media can attract a large and unpredictable crowd.
“We owe it to the visitors, employees, business owners, and the residents of Braintree to ensure that public safety is paramount,” police wrote in a Facebook post, adding that being prepared and having a proactive plan in place is essential to preventing and minimizing potential risks.
Gov. Maura Healey denounced recent large-scale car meet-ups that have turned dangerous in Boston and around Massachusetts.
In response to this planned event, police say they coordinated staffing, developed a comprehensive operation plan and worked closely with law enforcement partners to ensure the appropriate resources are in place just in case anything happens.
Thirty miles north, Peabody police said they were aware of a planned event advertising a “Northshore Mall takeover” at 3 p.m. Friday. Police there also stressed their primary concern is public safety, including mall visitors, employees, business owners and Peabody residents.
