New funding supports community events, a positive social media campaign, and a diversion program aimed at giving youth a second chance
Hillsborough County is taking new steps to ensure a safe summer break for the region's youth. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved $45,000 in funding to support Safe & Sound Hillsborough's Summertime Violence Prevention Services and their "Safe Summer Series 2026" proposal. The initiative is designed to address concerns regarding "teen takeovers" by positively engaging youth to deter them from harmful activities. Teen takeovers are large, unsanctioned gatherings of young people, often organized on social media, that frequently devolve into violence and other negative activities.
The funding will support a multi-strategic initiative designed to provide positive alternatives during the summer months in an effort to empower youth of the County to make better choices. The initiative is designed to positively engage young people through activities, education, and community connections that encourage responsible decision-making.
Freddy Barton, the Executive Director for Safe & Sound Hillsborough, says it's all about providing a healthy outlet for youth.
"Safe Summer Series 2026 looks to provide support for our young people with things that they are already doing," said Barton. "It's all about utilizing social media in a positive way, putting together structured events, and working with young people who have unfortunately been impacted negatively by these recent takeovers."
Strategy 1: Positive Takeovers
Hillsborough County recognizes that youth are looking for outlets during the summer to stay busy. Working with community partners and law enforcement, Safe & Sound Hillsborough is coordinating youth-focused community events called "Positive Takeovers" to prevent negative "takeovers" during the summer. Utilizing sports and arts, the events will reach out to youth from all over Hillsborough County.
Key activities include:
- 7v7 flag football tournament for both boys and girls
- Video game tournaments
- Arts and painting
- Youth podcast sessions
Strategy 2: Social Media Campaign
Understanding the power of social media, Safe & Sound Hillsborough and its community partners will rely on networking to promote a positive messaging campaign that incentivizes youth to participate and encourage others to do the same. Through the _#SafeSummerSeries_ social media challenge, the campaign encourages students across Hillsborough to use social media for something bigger than "likes." The challenge gives youth in grades 6-12 the opportunity to create short videos that promote positive decision-making, mental health awareness, violence prevention, community pride, and safe summer activities.
Participants can earn prizes, collaborate with other students, receive mentorship from community leaders, and help spread positive messages throughout Hillsborough County.
Among the many partners providing pivotal support to the Safe Summer Series 2026 initiative is the Children's Board of Hillsborough County. The organization is providing funding to Safe & Sound through their Emerging Needs grant to support both "Positive Takeovers" and the social media challenge.
Rebecca Bacon, the Executive Director of Children's Board of Hillsborough County, says initiatives like this benefit the entire community.
"It's really important for the County to support something like this because it potentially affects all of our residents," said Bacon. "Raising kids these days is challenging. By supporting parents through the process, they're going to be in a better position."
Learn more about the #SafeSummerSeries, including how the social media challenge works, ideas for creating videos, and potential prizes.
Strategy 3: Responsibility Matters Program
In partnership with the State Attorney's Office, Safe & Sound Hillsborough has put together a diversion program called "Responsibility Matters" to help youth facing legal troubles over "teen takeovers." The program will help youth avoid charges while receiving education, therapy, and support services to help deter youth from further harmful activity.
The program will consist of the following components:
- Accountability & consequences
- Decision-making & peer pressure
- Violence prevention & conflict skills
- Substance awareness & healthy coping
- Community responsibility & leadership
- Future planning & personal growth
"It's impossible to think our kids will know how to make the right choices all the time, as well as understand the consequences of their actions in the heat of the moment," said Barton. "We have a responsibility to make sure we have these opportunities to help kids turn their lives around."
Community Partnerships Make the Difference
Safe & Sound Hillsborough has served as a community violence prevention collaborative since 2013, bringing together public agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, faith-based groups, and residents to address violence through a public health approach. The organization focuses on prevention, intervention, education, and community engagement strategies that strengthen neighborhoods and support youth.
"Hillsborough County understands that our youth are our future," said Barton. "To have unanimous support for something like this and allowing Safe & Sound to continue to lead the charge in violence-prevent efforts shows the power of what can happen when the community comes together."
Investing in prevention
The Safe Summer Series 2026 aligns with Hillsborough County's ongoing commitment to violence prevention and youth development. By combining recreation, social media engagement, and restorative justice, the Safe Summer Series 2026 seeks to empower young people to make positive choices while strengthening connections between youth and the Hillsborough community.
Learn more about Safe & Sound's mission and the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, including a family guide that helps families find programs, activities, and support for children of all ages. Check out all the ways Hillsborough County supports youth by visiting the Kids Programs section.