Kennywood park in Pennsylvania is without doubt one of the oldest amusement parks on the earth, having initially opened in 1899. The park is so previous it’s truly a nationwide historic landmark, however the park could not open on schedule this yr, for its a hundred and twenty fifth season, because the district lawyer is looking the park unsafe and says he’ll work to maintain the park closed if security suggestions from his workplace are usually not adopted.
In a press convention (by way of the Pittsburg Publish-Gazette), Allegheny County District Legal professional Stephen Zappala stated that Kennywood is unsafe and that he would go to courtroom to dam the park’s scheduled April 22 opening. This transfer comes following a taking pictures incident that occurred within the park throughout its annual Halloween occasion final September. Three individuals have been injured within the taking pictures. Fees have been introduced in opposition to a 15-year-old suspect however a choose threw out that case. Zappala stated…
I’d hate to see the opening of Kennywood be delayed, however I’m very severe and legislation enforcement could be very severe about making that setting protected. I don’t suppose it’s protected proper now
Plenty of new insurance policies and procedures have been carried out because the incident. Since shortly after the taking pictures no visitors below 18 have been allowed inside Kennywood with out an grownup older than 21. As well as, bushes alongside the fence line have been trimmed and new floodlights have been added to enhance visibility contained in the park, common patrols have additionally been elevated.
The park has metallic detectors that each one visitors and employees stroll by and had them on the time of the taking pictures. Precisely how the gun made it contained in the park is unclear, however the investigation remains to be ongoing. New bag insurance policies, limiting the scale and sort of luggage allowed contained in the park have already been carried out.
It’s unclear precisely what suggestions have been made to Kennywood that aren’t being carried out, however the D.A. did particularly point out gaps within the fence line that he felt have been giant sufficient for a slim particular person to suit by, or for weapons to be handed to any individual already inside.
Kennywood is much from the one park to have security issues in latest months. Final summer season, Knott’s Berry Farm additionally had a taking pictures incident in its car parking zone a few years in the past. Final summer season fights broke out at Knott’s, forcing the park to shut early. A brand new chaperone coverage, just like the one carried out at Kennywood, was established within the aftermath. We have additionally seen violent altercations surrounding Halloween occasions. Final season a scareactor at Common Studios Hollywood was assaulted by a visitor.
With Kennywood preparing for its a hundred and twenty fifth season, it’s a serious milestone for the amusement park, and positively, there are plans for particular occasions to mark the event. These plans will surely be sidetracked if there’s an precise drawback opening the park.
