Officials say social‑media 'pop‑up' gatherings strain enforcement; Greenwood and Great Marsh Park cited

Law‑enforcement representatives described recurring "pop‑up" gatherings organized through social media and said the events are hard to predict and manage. "It's done through social media. It's advertised. Hey. Everybody show up at x y z coordinates," an agency official said, explaining how organizers solicit large crowds.

Officials cited Greenwood Avenue and Great Marsh Park as locations where such gatherings have occurred and said closing one area often displaces the activity to another. The board also heard about a large, recent block party in Prospect Heights. As one officer put it, "we had, basically, 800 people," but he added that he was not certain of the exact count and described the crowd as large.

Why it matters: spontaneous gatherings can draw large crowds without permits or advance notice, taxing local resources. Officials said responses have required mutual aid — the sheriff's department and state police assisted — and that dispersing very large crowds can be time‑consuming and resource intensive.

No enforcement policy changes or formal motions were taken at the meeting; the discussion was presented for information and situational awareness.