Missouri: Massive Brawl Involving 150 Teens at Kansas City Theme Park Injures a Deputy
Around 150 Kansas City teens were involved in a theme park brawl over the weekend that required a massive police response, according to a Missouri sheriff's office.
In a statement, the Clay County Sheriff's Office said around 100 to 150 teens were involved in the brawl at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 8, the New York Post reported.
Responding Clay County deputies and Kansas City police officers, as well as park security personnel witnessed hundreds of teens involved in a huge altercation. They worked to move the teens out of the park.
The Clay County Sheriff's Office said a teenage girl, who refused to leave the park, punched a deputy in the face, leaving the cop with "superficial injuries." The girl was arrested and was later released to her parents.
The sheriff's office noted that the fighting continued into the parking lot after the teenagers were removed from the park. Police officers eventually cleared out the park at around 8:30 p.m.
There was no report or confirmation as to what started the altercation in the first place.
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Kansas City Theme Park Worlds of Fun Changes Policy Following Massive Brawl
After the massive brawl involving Kansas City teens, Missouri's Worlds of Fun made some changes in its policy.
According to Fox 4, the park now has a policy that adults should accompany anyone aged 15 or below after 4 p.m.
An adult over the age of 21 is required to fill that role. That chaperone must remain at the park throughout the duration of the visit and must always be available by phone.
The Worlds of Fun has warned that unaccompanied minors under 15 will not be allowed by security to enter the park. They will be required to show an ID.
Natalie Anderson, a theme park goer, said she has witnessed the brawl at the Worlds of Fun and still dealing with what she has seen there.
"I still get that anxiety like I've got goosebumps thinking about it having my children in an uncontrolled situation to where I had no control - no way to protect my children," Anderson noted.
Anderson is also concerned about Worlds of Fun's new policy, despite her support for action to ensure parkgoers' safety.
"So we are going to profile people now? How can you determine if someone looks 15 years old or younger? They should have some type of wristband," Anderson said.
The Worlds of Fun claimed it is changing its policies with families and visitors in mind.
READ MORE -> https://t.co/ekpm0lDoAr pic.twitter.com/dUyIVaRlD0
— Worlds of Fun (@worldsoffun) April 12, 2023
The amusement park also warned that parents or guardians might be held legally responsible for the actions of their children. The theme park's new policy will be implemented beginning Saturday, April 15.
Kansas City Theme Park Is Not Alone in Issuing Chaperone Policy
Missouri's Worlds of Fun is among those theme parks to issue such a policy, USA TODAY reported.
After several brawl incidents involving teenagers, Knott's Berry Farm in Southern California mandated in July that all guests aged 17 and younger be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years old.
It was not the first time teenagers brawled at Worlds of Fun. The 50-year-old Kansas City theme park at 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue was also the scene of a brawl in April 2019 that involved up to 300 teens.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Worlds of Fun Kicks Out as Many as 150 Teens After Weekend Fight - From Fox 4 News Kansas City
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