Essex mayor decries incident at dance

Trouble last weekend at a dance in Essex for adolescents has led to a police investigation and a rebuke by the town's mayor.

“I was shocked and appalled to hear about the destructive behaviour demonstrated by a select group of kids causing physical and mental harm to others, including staff,” stated Mayor Richard Meloche in a public statement.

Describing what happened at the dance as “unacceptable” and “dangerous,” Meloche said he has personally spoken with Essex County OPP about the matter and the Town of Essex is fully co-operating with the investigation.

The community event happened the night of May 13 at the Essex Centre Sports Complex at 60 Fairview Ave. W.

Organized by the Optimist Club of Essex, the supervised gathering was billed as a “youth dance” open to students Grades 5 to 8.

Admission was only $4, and more than 200 young people attended.

Essex County OPP said officers attended the location that night shortly after 9 p.m. in response to a “weapons call.”

The report of a weapon included a description of a suspect.

A youth matching the description was located at the scene, but police have disclosed no further information.

As of Monday, the investigation continued, and OPP were asking witnesses of the incident to “come forward immediately.”

Meloche said that details of what happened can't be publicly discussed at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

But parents of children who attended the dance shared via social media that a group of “troublemakers” were firing an airsoft gun at people and engaging in other disruptive and aggressive behaviours.

Airsoft guns — distinct from paintball guns — shoot plastic pellets around six millimetres in diameter. The guns are meant for sport purposes, but often replicate the appearance of real firearms.

When confronted about their behaviour, the problematic group of adolescents at the dance reportedly challenged adults as well as kids.

Town Coun. Sherry Bondy shared on Facebook that she has heard from parents on the incident, and she has been reaching out to council colleagues on providing support.

“Our children should feel safe when they go out to events and not get terrorized,” Bondy wrote.