Knott’s Berry Farm Loosens Chaperone Policy

Knott's Berry Farm amusement park in Buena Park, Calif. on Jan. 15, 2021. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Minors can now enjoy chaperone-free admission every day except Saturday at Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California after the theme park announced Dec. 7 it was loosening its policy initiated last summer after an outbreak of violence by some teenagers.

The policy change is “based on the positive trends resulting from the current chaperone policy and improved security protocols,” the Buena Park theme park officials wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

“Safety is and always will be our top priority,” a Knott’s Berry Farm spokesperson told The Epoch Times. “But we also want to make sure that all guests are able to enjoy a fun and safe day at Knott’s.

The rules originally began in July, requiring all guests aged 17 or under to be accompanied by a 21-or-older chaperone throughout their visit to the park on Fridays and Saturdays.

The policy was implemented following outbreak of violence among unruly teens, forcing visitors to run for the exits, and officials to close the park three hours early.

The theme park reported on the night of the fights that it was “unruly behavior involving a number of teenagers.” Video footage could be found online of guests hiding in nearby shops, and teenagers assaulting security guards and other visitors.

Over the past several months the policy was increasingly more restrictive, requiring minors to be accompanied on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and then every night during the Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Event in September and October.

Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2021. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Each chaperone cannot watch over more than five minors each day, and any minors found unaccompanied would be forced to leave the park.

Other safety protocols that were put in place following the violence included an increased presence of law enforcement and security personnel, additional canines, more rigorous screening procedures, and improved lighting around the park, according to a theme park spokesperson.

According to the policy guidelines, it is still subject to change in the future.