Violence at theme parks is making extreme security measures come into place around America. What has shifted to make our country so sad?
This may be more of an article on the state of the United States in some parts of the country rather than just an article on theme parks. We just watched as Six Flags Great America was the victim of assaulters with firearms in their parking lot Sunday night. This not the first time that a theme park has been the sight of violence in the last few months. Before this year, such an event was incredibly rare. Now it seems we hear about these events every other week. Something has changed in our country.
As a result of this ongoing increase in violent crime across parts of the country, some theme parks are having to change their security protocols significantly. Universal Studios in Orlando has implemented a curfew system for minors. Theme parks around the nation are increasing security expenditures. And Knott’s Berry Farm, itself a victim of riots earlier this summer, already had a greatly overhauled system that caused teenagers to now need adult chaperones at the park.
But that doesn’t seem to be enough. Now the park is making additional changes.
Chaperone policy extended to all nights of 2022 Knott's Scary Farm + very restrictive bag policy for Scary Farm.
Don't think I own a bag that is 6.5" x 4.5". That's about the size of a Ziplock sandwich bag! pic.twitter.com/t1X0uzosoV
— Hubert Wong (@Hubert_Wong2) August 15, 2022
The policy change says:
As part of this commitment, we have added additional security protocols and operational policies at both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City in July. This policy will now be extended to all event nights at Knott’s Scary Farm. In addition, a bag policy will be implemented for Knott’s Scary Farm. Guests will not be permitted to bring bags larger than 6.5″ x 4.5″ x 2″ into the park, including purses, backpacks, or diaper bags during Scary Farm operation. All bags will be searched prior to entry.
Now I’m no security expert, but that sounds an awful lot like Knott’s Berry Farm is trying to eliminate bags that are big enough to carry a normal-sized pistol. And that eliminates most bags you can imagine. How long until this change is made year-round? And what a sad world we live in that this is necessary. Why was this not necessary for decades and now it is? Firearms have been around as long as the country. What has changed that is making violence so normal?
Whatever it is, I wish we’d revert back to even how life was in 2019. I enjoyed going to theme parks without having to consider being gunned down or using cargo pants because pockets are bigger than the bags you can carry.
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