Heightened Security at Brooklyn Mall Amid TikTok 'Takeover' Fears

Dozens of police officers patrol Kings Plaza after Bronx mall riot, as social media challenge calls for chaos

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Shoppers at Brooklyn's Kings Plaza were met with a heavy police presence on Tuesday, a day after a TikTok challenge reportedly called for hundreds of teens to converge on the mall and cause chaos. Dozens of officers were stationed at every entrance, and security guards were on high alert, as some young people arrived wearing masks but left shortly after seeing the police. The increased security came in response to a 'takeover' event that led to a riot at the Plaza Mall in the Bronx a day earlier, where an estimated 500 youths flooded the area, shattered glass windows, and pushed police.

Why it matters

The 'takeover' events organized on social media have raised concerns about public safety and the ability of law enforcement to respond effectively to large-scale disturbances at shopping malls. The incident in the Bronx and the heightened security measures in Brooklyn highlight the challenges that communities face in addressing these emerging social media-driven threats.

The details

On Tuesday, dozens of NYPD officers were stationed at every entrance to Kings Plaza in Brooklyn, and security guards were on high alert, stopping groups of young people from entering the mall together. Inside, more officers could be seen patrolling the storefronts. Some teens were spotted arriving wearing masks but left shortly after seeing the heavy police presence. The increased security measures were a response to a 'takeover' event that was reportedly planned on TikTok, which called for hundreds of teens to converge on the mall and cause chaos. A day earlier, a similar 'takeover' event at the Plaza Mall in the Bronx led to a riot, with an estimated 500 youths flooding the area, shattering glass windows, and pushing police.

  • On Feb. 16, a 'takeover' event at the Plaza Mall in the Bronx led to a riot.
  • On Feb. 17, heightened security measures were in place at Kings Plaza in Brooklyn in response to the Bronx incident and a reported TikTok challenge calling for a 'takeover' event.

The players

NYPD

The New York City Police Department, which deployed dozens of officers to patrol Kings Plaza in Brooklyn in response to the reported TikTok challenge.

Kings Plaza

A shopping mall located in Brooklyn, New York.

Plaza Mall

A shopping mall located in the Bronx, New York, where a 'takeover' event led to a riot on Feb. 16.

Raven Blue

A shopper at Kings Plaza who said she felt better with the increased police presence because 'these kids are out of control.'

Lisa

A Florida tourist who witnessed a group of teens assaulting a bus driver minutes before arriving at Kings Plaza.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think anything is going to happen; we are here as a deterrent. They will see us and walk the other way.”

— NYPD Officer (amNewYork)

“We are on top of it today. It is only after it is too late that someone says something. Someone could have been seriously hurt.”

— NYPD Officer (amNewYork)

“I feel better with the cops here, because these kids are out of control. When the kids get out of school, they don't know how to get home straight away, so they come to the mall. You've got to have the cops because you don't know what will happen next.”

— Raven Blue, Shopper (amNewYork)

“Five kids get on, harassing everybody, just screaming insanity. The bus driver tells them to get off the bus. He opens the door for them to exit. They pick up a piece of ice and hit him with it.”

— Lisa, Florida Tourist (amNewYork)

What’s next

The NYPD will continue to monitor the situation and maintain a strong police presence at Kings Plaza and other shopping malls in the city to deter any potential 'takeover' events organized on social media.

The takeaway

The 'takeover' events organized on TikTok have exposed the vulnerabilities of shopping malls and the challenges communities face in addressing these emerging social media-driven threats to public safety. The heightened security measures at Kings Plaza highlight the need for proactive planning and coordination between law enforcement, mall management, and local communities to prevent and respond to such incidents effectively.