Teen fights end Juneteenth early. Now Finlay Park sets permanent chaperone rule
After teen fights erupted at a Juneteenth celebration that drew thousands to Columbia’s newly renovated Finlay Park this Saturday, city leaders are establishing permanent rules to keep unaccompanied minors out of the park after 5 p.m.
Several fights broke out Saturday evening, leading to four arrests, including of three juveniles and one adult, Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said during a press briefing Saturday night. The fights came as city leaders have been hearing talk of possible “teen takeovers” at Finlay Park events for months.
“Teen takeovers” have become a trend nationwide, where teenagers coordinate on social media to create large gatherings in public spaces. The trend has also led to arrests across the country, as fights have broken out among teens during the gatherings.
Beginning in May, the city said it began to receive “intelligence” suggesting these “teen takeovers” could happen at Finlay Park events. In response, the city enacted a temporary rule requiring that minors be supervised at the park. The city did not receive any notice of a teen takeover at the Juneteenth event.
“I still believe in the good within our children and young people,” said Columbia City Manager Teresa Wilson after the Saturday night incident. “However, it pains me to see the behaviors and acts of a few overshadow the positive, empowering actions of our youth who are making a difference. There will be no toleration for these takeover incidents in our community.”
Now, the city is making its unaccompanied minors policy permanent at Finlay Park. Teenagers won’t be allowed to wander the park without an adult present after 5 p.m., seven days a week.
Under the city’s new policy, anyone 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or a “responsible adult” who is at least 21 years old to enter or stay at Finlay Park after 5 p.m. The park is open until 9 p.m. daily, except for special events.
Park staff, security personnel or law enforcement may ID park patrons to enforce the rule, and people who refuse can be denied entry or required to leave, according to the city.
The policy also states that an adult chaperone can’t be responsible for more than five minors at a time, and must stay at the park to supervise at all times.
Columbia this year hosted its 10th annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest, which took place throughout the day Saturday with live music, food vendors and more. Fights broke out shortly before the last concert of the day Saturday, leading police to end the event early.
“The disruption kind of took on a life of its own, and out of an abundance of caution, we made the decision to evacuate the park,” Holbrook said Saturday.
