08/08/2026
🚨 PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
TO THOSE WHO SAID WE WERE OVERREACTING…
To the sympathizers who questioned why young people were no longer being allowed to sit and loiter at Pirate Plaza:
We hate to say it, but… WE TOLD YOU SO.
Last night at Blackfork Plaza, a large gathering of teens, young adults, and adults resulted in significant problems for the property and surrounding businesses.
🚨 Multiple assaults were reported, including serious incidents and aggravated assault and battery allegations.
đźš— Reckless driving left tire tracks throughout the parking lot.
🍾 Broken glass was left scattered across the property.
🗑️ Large amounts of trash were left behind.
⚠️ And once again, businesses and property owners were left dealing with the consequences.
This is exactly why concerns have been raised about allowing large groups to congregate, sit, and loiter in commercial parking lots.
This isn’t about targeting young people.
It’s about public safety, private property, responsible behavior, and protecting our businesses and community.
If you own private property and are willing to deal with reckless driving, trash, property damage, broken glass, assaults, and the potential liability that comes with it, that’s your decision.
But when behavior spills into areas where businesses and other members of the public are affected, law enforcement has an obligation to respond.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 PARENTS, WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Please talk to your children.
And yes, even if they’re technically young adults.
Know where they’re going. Know who they’re with. Talk to them about the consequences of reckless driving, fighting, trespassing, destruction of property, underage drinking, and other unlawful behavior.
These consequences are not simply a slap on the wrist. Violations can become expensive very quickly, and criminal charges can have consequences that follow someone for years.
We are also going to be consulting with local legal advisors and legislators regarding what additional lawful enforcement options may be available, including potential vehicle impoundment when legally authorized and appropriate enforcement action against adults who violate the law.
We don’t want to take these measures.
We would much rather see young people enjoying themselves, businesses operating without disruption, and parents feeling confident that their kids are safe.
But the community has reached a point where something has to change.
So before the next gathering turns into another night of broken glass, damaged property, reckless driving, or someone getting seriously hurt:
PLEASE TALK TO YOUR KIDS.
We aren’t asking for anything unreasonable.
Respect the property.
Respect the businesses.
Respect each other.
And most importantly, stop before someone gets seriously hurt.
Because at this point, saying “we told you so” isn’t something anyone should have to say.
