Law enforcement used pepper spray to disperse a large group of juveniles who were reported fighting at Youngstown Skate, 7080 Tiffany Blvd., last Saturday night, Apr. 11 near 9:30 p.m., although no arrests were made.
      That followed a what police described as a social media post that encouraged a “Teen Takeover” at Youngstown Skate earlier the same day.
      Ptl. Angelo Pasquale, who was working an extra duty detail at Youngstown Skate on Apr. 11 said that after the business started to close, “large groups of...juveniles began to engage in physical altercations inside the business.
      “Due to the overwhelming amounts of individuals fighting, additional help was requested from other police agencies.”
      The use of pepper spray helped to move the crowd off the Youngstown Skate property.
      Police Chief Todd Werth said the situation “grew out of control at closing time and those engaged in fights did not respond to commands to cease.”
      The chief noted groups and car-loads of teenagers began to disperse and moved to nearby businesses, while some “continued to fight.”
      Chief Werth said that after the teens were dispersed from Youngstown Skate, groups of teenagers began gathering at various businesses including Sheetz, Get-Go, Raising Cane’s, Target and Meijer,
      “A social media driven gathering resulted in a disturbance that was quickly brought to order without any serious issue,” Chief Werth said.
      No arrests were made and multiple police agencies helped provide support to Boardman police, including the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department, Poland Township and Beaver Township.