Incident at Kings Island 5/22/21

[chuck norris]

What about large groups stopping to watch a performance by the entertainment department?
I guess smoking in the park and in queues and phones out on rides are not ejectable offenses since it wasn't on the list...

Right. Like the new area 72 dance/DJ Event that is planned for 8pm (on nights they stay open until 10pm)… that’s literally an event that is designed to completely block the midway.

(Area looks like it is going to be really tight… and likely attract the age of kids that are linked to the events of last weekend?… could be a real recipe for disaster)


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[chuck norris]

I always avoid confronting another guest if they engage in something like line jumping.   I try to contact staff, preferably security,  and let them handle the issue.   This not only keeps you safe but possibly the situation from escalating.   

Well now you can just snap a photo and text it to security directly.


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[BoddaH1994]

1 hour ago, chuck norris said:

Well now you can just snap a photo and text it to security directly.


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Have you or anyone else actually seen info on that program? The first time I heard about it was with the park’s release, but it implies that it was already in place at the time of the incident. 

[Winterfestguy]

I have not seen any public privacy policy on how CF as a corporation (or KI) will handle the text message hidden metadata (or from the picture) texted from your personal phone or how it is intended to be used in the future.  If you SMS to their number, its likely EXIF (Exchangeable Image File) metadata is also automatically sent in the background, primarily location data (and of course they have your phone number from which many details about you can be obtained from searching other databases).  I am surprised that there is not an “opt in” message before using their texting service to report a security issue giving the park permission to use your data.   One should just be aware of any background information being sent from your personal phone if you utilize this approach (and in any court case, if things go that far, you might get a subpoena as part of the discoverable evidence).

[PKIDelirium]

It's also not a typical park number (754 exchange) so I wonder where the messages actually end up.

[David Ellis]

On 5/25/2021 at 5:38 PM, coaster sally said:

Is this the guy that films illegal pov's?

 

 

Actually, good question....from what I saw on the news on TV although I was here at my house at the time when I heard something awful happening last week with people fighting in Coney Mall and I don't see any one filming the illegal POVs...but yeah the guy did film the brawl last week....It's sad that people don't behave...It's sad that people don't behave and I am supporting the idea of having chaperone policy at Kings Island and all other Cedar Fair parks....I'm all for it.

 

Edited May 29, 2021 by David Ellis

[David Ellis]

1 minute ago, David Ellis said:

 

 

 

[bjcolglazier]

Noticed lots of security at the park today. In a good way. Looked like some were being trained. They made one guy change or cover his shirt because they didn't like it. He had a group of people with him---didn't matter. Get rid of it, or leave. He found a different shirt.

Another guy right behind me on Beast literally answered his phone as we were waiting to roll back in the station. The ride had stopped, so it wasn't a massive safety concern but clearly against the rules/law. He was advised by the ride op that he just committed a misdemeanor in Ohio as he and his buddy scurried away as quick as they could. 

Grown men both stories. But I feel like all the park workers were at least trying to take a stand.

[IndyGuy4KI]

20 minutes ago, bjcolglazier said:

Noticed lots of security at the park today. In a good way. Looked like some were being trained. They made one guy change or cover his shirt because they didn't like it. He had a group of people with him---didn't matter. Get rid of it, or leave. He found a different shirt that

That is good to hear. Thanks KI for taking care of this!

[ldhudsonjr]

1 hour ago, bjcolglazier said:

They made one guy change or cover his shirt because they didn't like it. He had a group of people with him---didn't matter. Get rid of it, or leave. He found a different shirt.

Oh good, sounds like they're going to be annoyingly over the top and hyper vigilant for a while like a 16 year old lifeguard. Oh well, at least they hired more security and hopefully we won't have any more big problems at the park.

[Snowball]

14 minutes ago, ldhudsonjr said:

Oh good, sounds like they're going to be annoyingly over the top and hyper vigilant for a while like a 16 year old lifeguard.

Good. It’s better than the alternative.

[ldhudsonjr]

37 minutes ago, Snowball said:

Good. It’s better than the alternative.

Yeah that's what I meant by the very next sentence lol.

[windshawne]

On 5/23/2021 at 1:04 AM, coaster sally said:

with the gate been giving away it will turn into a place to drop off kids.  Be like SFWoA was.

KI has always been the area's biggest babysitter.  I can't tell you how many times parents dropped their kids off at the gate and turned around and left.  I think the time has come to require chaperones.  To be truthful, what I saw from this incident made me sick to my stomach.  Not just here, but everywhere.  Times are different now, unfortunately

[windshawne]

On 5/25/2021 at 9:04 AM, rlentless said:

I agree.  Honestly, who would want to be a security guard or even a police officer in today's political environment.  I also agree with other posters that if the park is understaffed then they probably should limit how many patrons can enter the park.

Truth!  

[windshawne]

On 5/24/2021 at 8:31 AM, Browntggrr said:

Faulting the park for people not being able to control themselves is incredibly unfair.

There was a garage sale in my neighborhood this past Saturday.  It's a nice subdivision with home values $200,000 to $350,000  Cars lined on both sides of the street.  Moving cars could not pass by. Garage sale cars illegally parked in many driveways.    Police had to block off both entrances to my subdivision from letting more cars enter.  Then the fights started.  And a stabbing....no joke.

PGA Championship took place in South Carolina this past weekend.  Crowd rushed Brooks Koepka and knocked him around causing more pain & injury to an already injured knee.  Crowd was way out of control.

We have all seen fights over stupid crap like facemasks, or those butthurt because their entitlement is not acknowledged by someone else.

Road rage videos everywhere.

There is one similarity of the above examples- no teenagers were involved.  They are all adults committing these horrific acts.

Covid has mentally affected many people negatively where social interaction was lost.  Combine that with everyone's head in their phone for the past decade plus and it's not a massive surprise people have zero clue how to act socially.

We all need to just be nice to each other.  Not everything is meant or intended to be malicious.  Agreeing to disagree and move on is SO MUCH easier than fighting like wild animals.

There is no magic wand to solve all these issues and more rules and restrictions will only create more animosity.  We all need to take a step back, breathe, and really ask ourselves- is getting mad over the little things really worth it and what is the endgame you are looking for by getting so uncontrollably mad?

The whole world has lost their ever loving minds.....

[windshawne]

On 5/26/2021 at 5:28 PM, BB1 said:

So I've been pretty silent on the subject but I decided after seeing what KI has posted it's time to unload some thoughts. 

The whole country is hurting for people to work. Kings Island, and Cedar Fair mind you, has implemented a lot  of policies and plans to accommodate their staffing issues and they are still hurting. 

Just based on the video, the subsequent day, and just the environment in general, I believe in the "punish the criminal, not the good intentioned populous". I myself have been to the park solo when I was a minor for years and never did I get in trouble with the park. I always followed the rules, made sure to be polite, and generally be a good patron to the park. I never thought of being a "gang" and picking a fight with another group, and never will. The individuals who acted, started, and harassed other patrons should be barred for an extremely long time and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Make the policies clear, make them open, make them available, make an example of whoever causes a brawl like this. I do not believe we should punish good minded youths due to the acts of a group of individuals who probably need some help. I have seen people get escorted out of the park, it does happen and should happen. 

I have nothing but extreme respect for security, and to a grander degree our first responders like Lifeguards and EMTS. They put up with some of the worst from people, and I can speak from first hand experience. They care about safety, they work late shifts even to ensure guest safety. I believe that KI should try to employ more security, enforce their policies, and really make statements that even if you are a minor, there are extreme consequences for unruly behavior. 

That's what's lacking today-accountability.  I dunno.  Limit the amount of people in the park?   

[windshawne]

On 5/25/2021 at 8:42 AM, coaster sally said:

"Does not align with our core values"

Really?

SMH

[King Ding Dong]

25 minutes ago, windshawne said:

SMH

You can use the multi-quote “+” sign so you can keep everything in one post. Works well.  

[Rallyomalley]

On 5/28/2021 at 11:20 AM, BoddaH1994 said:

Saw this on Facebook. This is allegedly being handed out at the park currently.

I debated on posting this experience, but after more than an hour spent with Leslie (dir. Safety and security) and Carl (area manager, security) I feel like it needs to see the light of day.

I used the this line to report some line jumpers this morning.  Sent pictures (their system can't receive pictures) and descriptions in addition to location information.

AAAANNNDDD...nearly got assaulted for my troubles. As the single security guard that responded (he did everything he could in this situation) tried to remove them from the line, one of the offenders charged at me aggressively, swinging his phone around at me and yelling.  I should note here that I had zero interaction with these guests.  Didn't talk, speak, anything to them.

He got to within a few inches before the security guard was able to yank him back.  Security only removed half the group, so I was then subjected to verbal harassment and threats from the remaining group members.

 

Needless to say I was and still am really ticked off.  I went immediately to guest services and sat with Leslie and Carl to discuss the events. 

To her credit (and she is the first person in dir. level position to do so) she acknowledged KI failed in this instance and apologized for it, personally.  While I appreciate the sincerity and honesty from her, I am left unsatisfied with the resolution.

That "zero tolerance" policy... isn't really that.  It's more "they'll get a stern talking to." Furthermore there are so many holes in their security and safety policies that it might as well be a sieve.  

Make of this what you will, but I think I may be done after this.

 

[King Ding Dong]

@Rallyomalley So to be clear, only part of the group was removed from the queue but do you know if they were removed from the park or allowed to go about their merry way?  Really surprised if they were allowed to stay especially after attempted battery in front of a security guard.  Then again maybe I shouldn’t be surprised.  

[Rallyomalley]

Just now, King Ding Dong said:

@Rallyomalley So to be clear, only part of the group was removed from the queue but do you know if they were removed from the park or allowed to go about their merry way?

The one that attempted to assault me was removed. 2 of the remaining 4 were removed from the queue.  The remaining 2 were the ones who verbally harassed me afterwards.

 

Only one was ejected per the park.  The remaining 4 were "talked to".  However after I met with Leslie and Carl and explained what happened afterwards I was told they would search them out and remove them.

 

But initially only the one that came at me was removed.  The rest were sent along after a "Stern talking to".  Also.  This was a group of 3 adults, 1 later teen, 1 early teen.

[coaster sally]

@Rallyomalley sorry to hear about this.  

This is how SIX handles this crap

 

 

[Rallyomalley]

3 minutes ago, coaster sally said:

@Rallyomalley sorry to hear about this.  

This is how SIX handles this crap

 

 

Ya. Thats one of the reasons I sat and talked with them for so long.  Trying to understand how this happens and quite frankly the answers I received to my questions did not fill me with confidence.

[disco2000]

As mean as it sounds, with an incident like this, the whole group should be ejected.  That would prevent the abuse you took in line that could have ended much worse.  Or they follow and harass you around the park.

[Rallyomalley]

6 minutes ago, disco2000 said:

As mean as it sounds, with an incident like this, the whole group should be ejected.  That would prevent the abuse you took in line that could have ended much worse.  Or they follow and harass you around the park.

That was one of the concerns I conveyed to the park.  I was stuck in the queue on a stairwell...not exactly an ideal place to be.

There are a number of ways it could've ended up worse.  Ffs, one of them was trying to take a photo of me.  

I told them I felt like I was going to have to watch over my shoulder all day watching for the others.  I left.

[BoddaH1994]

How did they know it was you who reported them?

[Rallyomalley]

4 minutes ago, BoddaH1994 said:

How did they know it was you who reported them?

The park suspects it's because I knew the security guard they sent and he and I were chatting prior to them being removed.

 

Edit: according to the park their text reporting system isn't capable of receiving photographs just fyi

[disco2000]

Of course they can't accept photos...

[Rallyomalley]

5 minutes ago, disco2000 said:

Of course they can't accept photos...

My thoughts exactly.  I told them I thought everything they did was reactionary, and the least amount they could get away with doing.

 

They just dont act or operate in a proactive or anticipatory manner in my opinion. It's all knee-jerk reactions.

[BoddaH1994]

1 hour ago, coaster sally said:

@Rallyomalley sorry to hear about this.  

This is how SIX handles this crap

 

 

I really wish this would be KI’s policy too. No one wouldn’t know that it’s not okay to be disruptive, fight, be openly vulgar, line jump, etc in the park. People that do that have little regard for the rules anyway. I realize that security can’t be everywhere all the time so something like this is unrealistic, but I really feel like it won’t take long for the word to get out that the park has a zero tolerance policy and those who would typically violate the rules would either shape up or not come.