A social media phenomenon that is leading to real-world consequences has swept across the country, and this past weekend, it struck at least four Massachusetts communities — in Boston, Randolph, Middleborough and Fall River.

They’re known as street “takeovers,” which officials say are coordinated efforts that start online on various platforms and are intended to overwhelm law enforcement with large, unruly crowds that led to violent confrontations Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

In Boston, a police cruiser caught fire after being hit by fireworks from a crowd of more than 100.

Similarly, fireworks were fired at a police cruiser in Randolph. And in Middleborough, a Dodge Charger drove at a responding officer to a takeover event in a commercial parking lot.

A fourth takeover

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