COCONUT CREEK, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Coconut Creek police are warning parents and teenagers that The Promenade at Coconut Creek is moving into active enforcement of a no-unaccompanied-minors policy, with new patrols and the threat of arrest for teens who refuse to leave the property.
The policy applies at one of Coconut Creek’s best-known shopping and dining centers, where police and city officials say safety concerns have escalated. Beginning this weekend, no one under 18 will be allowed at the Promenade on Saturdays and Sundays after 5:30 p.m. unless they are with an adult family member who is at least 21 years old.
On weekdays, the rule takes effect after 2:30 p.m. Teens who work at the Promenade are exempt.
Coconut Creek Police Department said minors found at the property without qualifying adult supervision during those hours will be told to leave first. If they comply, there will be no arrest. If they refuse, police said they could be arrested and taken to juvenile detention in Fort Lauderdale, requiring a parent or guardian to pick them up there.
The department also said extra officers will begin patrolling the Promenade starting this weekend as enforcement ramps up.
The announcement drew immediate reaction from residents, workers and parents, and the comments pointed to a growing debate over how the city and property managers should respond to behavior at the center.
Some commenters said the move was overdue, describing worsening conditions on Friday and Saturday nights and saying customers and employees had been dealing with disruptive conduct for some time. One person who said they work at the Promenade called recent weekends “terrible” and thanked management and police for taking action. Another resident described loud and disruptive behavior during an outing with a toddler grandchild and said the experience had kept them from returning.
Other residents raised concerns that the policy could sweep in teenagers who are not causing problems. One parent questioned whether a 16-year-old driving to the movies and dinner at the Promenade during the week would now be forced to leave or risk arrest. Another said the policy punishes responsible teens and families who regularly spend money there because of the behavior of others.
Vice Mayor John Brodie responded directly to one of those concerns and tied the crackdown to a recent public safety incident. He said a gun was fired at the Promenade last weekend and said the response should be understood as a safety measure, not an overreaction. He also noted that the Promenade is private property and said both the property and the city believe additional restrictions are necessary until conditions improve.
That comment added context to the city’s decision and to broader fears circulating among parents about large teen gatherings. One resident said a 13-year-old son had described “meet up” events in which hundreds of kids show up at public places, including one at Mullins Park and another allegedly planned for Saturday at the Promenade. The parent said the child and his friends had already decided not to attend because they believed it was dangerous.
The new policy puts the burden on families to know the hours and rules before teens head to the shopping center. For residents, the practical takeaway is simple: on weekdays after 2:30 p.m. and on weekends after 5:30 p.m., minors cannot be at the Promenade alone unless they are there for work. Police say teens will get a chance to leave first. What happens after that will depend on whether they do.
For businesses, families and regular visitors, the next thing to watch is how aggressively the rule is enforced and whether the added police presence changes conditions at the property in the weeks ahead.
This story is part of our ongoing Coconut Creek News reporting.
