Los Angeles Times

Knott’s adds Sundays to chaperone policy

Theme park extends rule requiring minors be accompanie­d by an adult to 3 days a week.

- By Itzel Luna

Knott’s Berry Farm has extended its “well-received” chaperone policy to include Sundays, park officials announced Tuesday.

The chaperone policy, which went into effect Friday after a string of fights among teenagers at the park, previously only included Fridays and Saturdays. Officials said the change will be enforced until further notice and the park “may add other days of the week as necessary.”

Under the new policy, all visitors 17 and younger must be accompanie­d by an adult who is at least 21 and has a valid ID. Minors without a chaperone will not be permitted to enter the theme park in Buena Park. One chaperone may accompany no more than four minors per day, according to the park.

“Chaperones must accompany their party during entry, remain with their party at all times during their visit to the park, and be available by phone throughout their stay,” the park’s code of conduct said. “Guests ages 17 years old or younger who are found inside the park unaccompan­ied by a chaperone will be subject to ejection.”

The policy went into effect days after fights broke out among teenagers on July 16, forcing the park to close three hours early. The fights sent park visitors into a panic and two people were taken to a hospital.

“We are committed to keeping Knott’s Berry Farm a place where families and friends come together to enjoy a one-of-a-kind park full of homegrown experience­s and immersive entertainm­ent,” park officials said in a statement.

The policy will also apply to season pass holders of both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City Waterpark.

The park’s code of conduct already prohibited “fighting or physical aggression of any kind” and “acts or behavior that park management determines is a safety concern or that interrupts park operations or guests’ experience.” The park also prohibits any unruly behavior or weapons of any kind.

 ?? Allen J. Schaben Los Angeles Times ?? AFTER a string of fights among teens, Knott’s Berry Farm adopted a chaperone policy for the weekends.
Allen J. Schaben Los Angeles Times AFTER a string of fights among teens, Knott’s Berry Farm adopted a chaperone policy for the weekends.

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