Tybee Island Braces for Controversial Orange Crush Festival Amid 'Teen Takeover' Concerns

Police coordinate with state and local agencies to maintain order during the upcoming weekend event.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:09am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent shell casing from a handgun, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the gunfire that disrupted a recent unpermitted beach gathering on Tybee Island.The sound of gunfire during a recent 'teen takeover' event on Tybee Island has heightened concerns about public safety during the upcoming Orange Crush festival.Tybee Island Today

Tybee Island is preparing for the return of the controversial Orange Crush festival this weekend, with heightened security measures in place due to concerns over a recent surge in unpermitted 'teen takeover' events. The police department is coordinating with state and local agencies, including the Georgia State Patrol and local Sheriff's offices, to maintain order and public safety during the festivities.

Why it matters

The Orange Crush festival has a history of being a chaotic and crime-filled event, leading Savannah State University to disassociate from it in 1991 due to the high number of arrests and reports of violence. The recent 'teen takeover' incidents, including a recent event on Tybee Island where gunfire disrupted an unpermitted beach gathering, have raised concerns about the potential for similar issues during the upcoming Orange Crush festival.

The details

To address these concerns, Tybee Island police are implementing a range of security measures, including a heavy law enforcement presence, a road safety checkpoint on Highway 80, the creation of emergency lanes on main roads, and the closure of the 14th and 16th Street parking lots. The goal is to maintain order and prevent any potential outbreaks of violence or other criminal activity during the festival.

  • On April 4, an unpermitted 'teen takeover' event on Tybee Island was interrupted by the sound of gunfire.
  • The Orange Crush festival, known as 'Crush Reloaded', is scheduled to return to Tybee Island this weekend.

The players

Tybee Island Police Department

The local law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining public safety and order during the Orange Crush festival.

Georgia State Patrol

A state law enforcement agency that will be assisting the Tybee Island Police Department in securing the festival.

Local Sheriff's Offices

Additional law enforcement agencies that will be supporting the Tybee Island Police Department during the festival.

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What they’re saying

“'Rest assured that we have heard you and that public safety will always be our top priority.'”

— Capt. Emory Randolph, Tybee Island Police Department

“'In recent months, stories of so-called 'teen takeovers' have popped up across the country. This phenomenon hit home just over a week ago, when an unpermitted event on the beach was interrupted by the sound of gunfire. Now, as we approach the return of Crush Reloaded, members of our local and online communities have expressed concerns.'”

— Tybee Island Police Department

What’s next

The Tybee Island Police Department will be closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with state and local agencies throughout the Orange Crush festival weekend to ensure public safety.

The takeaway

The return of the controversial Orange Crush festival to Tybee Island has raised concerns about potential public safety issues, particularly in light of the recent 'teen takeover' incidents in the area. The heightened security measures being implemented by the Tybee Island Police Department and its partner agencies aim to prevent any outbreaks of violence or criminal activity during the festival.