Busch Brawls
- Thread starter Murphy
- Start date
Would be interesting to know if these chaperone policies are actually working. A 21 year old chaperone isn't that old and could just as easy be part of a problem group.
Yeah, this is designed to look like it's doing something without actually doing anything in my honest opinion.
First, it doesn't appear that most of the violence is coming from people in the 15 and under range. I would like to see a chaperone policy for anyone under 18. Per the news reports, it seems like the 16 to 18 age range is where a lot of the troublemaking groups are coming from. That said, presumably, the 16 to 18 range of unaccompanied minors are also currently making up a significant portion of HOS attendance—a number United Parks does not want to impact.
Second, 10 minors per a single adult to enter the park and then they can just roam off wherever unaccompanied? If kids 15 and under have been a problem (seems to be the claim BGW is making with these rules) that's definitely not gonna fix it. That ratio is insane and they're still unaccompanied minors in the places it counts, ultimately. Security/police should be able to walk up to any group of large/loud/disruptive/rowdy teens in the park at any time and the group should be able to physically point to their chaperone. This "oh, they're somewhere in the park" shouldn't be acceptable.
Third, the ID thing has the potential to be a great measure but, unless BGW suddenly has some system in place to actually record ID information, it's meaningless. BGW already has pass member photos, names, addresses, and visitation history. I have absolutely zero problem with BGW verifying and recording all of that same information from non-pass holders at the gate. Maybe some offenders will actually see prosecution if BGW can provide law enforcement an inventory of everyone who was in attendance on a given day. Pair that with actual in-park surveillance in high-risk areas (namely houses, see: HHN) and suddenly IDing troublemakers, assaulters, etc. should become far, FAR easier.
First, it doesn't appear that most of the violence is coming from people in the 15 and under range. I would like to see a chaperone policy for anyone under 18. Per the news reports, it seems like the 16 to 18 age range is where a lot of the troublemaking groups are coming from. That said, presumably, the 16 to 18 range of unaccompanied minors are also currently making up a significant portion of HOS attendance—a number United Parks does not want to impact.
Second, 10 minors per a single adult to enter the park and then they can just roam off wherever unaccompanied? If kids 15 and under have been a problem (seems to be the claim BGW is making with these rules) that's definitely not gonna fix it. That ratio is insane and they're still unaccompanied minors in the places it counts, ultimately. Security/police should be able to walk up to any group of large/loud/disruptive/rowdy teens in the park at any time and the group should be able to physically point to their chaperone. This "oh, they're somewhere in the park" shouldn't be acceptable.
Third, the ID thing has the potential to be a great measure but, unless BGW suddenly has some system in place to actually record ID information, it's meaningless. BGW already has pass member photos, names, addresses, and visitation history. I have absolutely zero problem with BGW verifying and recording all of that same information from non-pass holders at the gate. Maybe some offenders will actually see prosecution if BGW can provide law enforcement an inventory of everyone who was in attendance on a given day. Pair that with actual in-park surveillance in high-risk areas (namely houses, see: HHN) and suddenly IDing troublemakers, assaulters, etc. should become far, FAR easier.
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I posted about this same thing yesterday. Safety in hyperbole.
By the time Halloween actually rolls around, something else will have happened and they will have to examine this again. A fight related to this very policy that a patron doesn't like nor agree with seems likely, especially when it comes to an ejection without a refund.
Reminds me of Covid policies on planes that the airline made clear, but some passengers were unwilling to follow, and caused havoc over, ruining the experience for everyone else.
Glad they are trying something, but I remain exceedingly skeptical based on many of these parameters.
My understanding is there are some very hard conversations going on currently at BGW regarding the marketing and ticketing of Howl-O-Scream and that while it may be to late to do anything about this year's event there is a string likelihood of some significant changes in the future.
Local media outlets: BGW, do you have a plan to address the violent incidents plaguing HoS
BGW: We have concepts of a plan
BGW: We have concepts of a plan
I'm sorry but this is weak and completely misses the mark. While there may be the occasional 13-15 year old line-cutter, it's the 16-21 crowd that are the real (violent) problem.
I personally would like to see the current policy become a year round thing. In my experience, the age group of 12-15 tends to be more of a nuisance year round (stealing, obnoxious in lines, giving employees hard times, etc), but doesn't necessary cause actual violence. During HOS however, the policy isn't enough, and it should be raised to <18 needs a chaperone with them at all times.
I honestly wish all the parks would put in facial recognition software and share banned individuals amongst parks and other major recreational centers. The vast majority of teenagers aren't causing problems and my gut is this policy has limited deteral outside of making it seem like the park is doing something.
At least five fights, five assaults reported at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 2024
At least five fights, five assaults reported at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 2024
The data request comes following two altercations on consecutive weekends, including the start of the park's Howl-O-Scream events.
www.13newsnow.com
I don’t think people appreciate how damaging these headlines are for BGW’s brand. It has taken KD literally decades to shed its reputation as a dangerous place frequented by gangs — I know people who still think it’s like that.
AB spent decades building BGW’s reputation as one of the nicest, safest, cleanest, most refined parks in the world. At this point, I’m legitimately worried that United Parks could near-permanently destroy that reputation because they care too much about alcohol sales, cheap promotions, and security cuts.
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” -Warren Buffett
AB spent decades building BGW’s reputation as one of the nicest, safest, cleanest, most refined parks in the world. At this point, I’m legitimately worried that United Parks could near-permanently destroy that reputation because they care too much about alcohol sales, cheap promotions, and security cuts.
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” -Warren Buffett
Honestly this is very fair. At this rate, it’s starting to be that United Parks is the new old Six Flags, which were not known to be the best places to go. Hell, even SFOG still runs a bit of that vibe. But unlike BGW, they’re doing something about it. Very obvious that KD is too. KD has been seen as the worse park in the region for the last few decades but now that perspective is changing in the matter of just a couple weeks. KD has cracked down and worked on changing that, whereas BGW just doesn’t seem to care.
Regarding this, I’d rather them put these changes in NOW. I don’t care if you’ve already bought a ticket—terms and conditions are subject to change. Same goes for policies and other requirements. Now I don’t mean anything against Kevin, but if I were him, I’d be making changes yesterday. Not thinking about changes for next year. Put them in now. Separate ticketed, yes. Much tighter security measures (read: security at entrance and exit of houses, police at the exit of all houses, roaming security and police always visible, cameras that ACTUALLY WORK*), absolutely. Enforce age restrictions—if you’re under 18, have to have a chaperone and they must stay with them AT ALL TIMES.
It’s so hard watching the park I grew up with, go from the glory days of AB and its charm to an absolute shithole full of unruly guests and an overall unpleasant experience. HOS has always been an event that was a little more wild, so to speak, but it was never this bad until these last couple years. BGW needs to change, and fast. Otherwise, I’m not going to give them my money. Yes we’ve got Holzfaller next year, but if they don’t fix these issues with guests, I don’t feel safe returning to BGW.
*-many cameras in the park don’t actually record anything, just show live feeds. Told by a member of security while there one day. Wild.