Kent Police broke up a large gathering of high school students Wednesday at Lake Meridian Park for a few “minor confrontations” that attracted a large crowd of spectators following the final day of school.
The first signs of trouble started at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the park along Southeast 272nd Street, said Kent Police Assistant Chief Pat Lowery in an email. Officers stayed in and around the park until it closed at dusk. No arrests were made.
“In the end our assessment was that the problems we experienced were largely prompted by the confluence of several high schools into the park on a single day, a very unusual circumstance,” Lowery said.
A lot of kids congregated at the park on the first day of summer, an actual warm and sunny day.
“There were a few minor confrontations between some of the youth that generated large crowds of spectators,” Lowery said.
Police kept a close watch on the park Thursday but had not noticed any similar disturbances.
Lowery said officers are working with Kent Parks Department staff to ensure prompt and effective response to behavior problems at the popular, city-owned park.
Police will cite individuals for disorderly conduct, malicious property damage, use or possession of alcohol or other offenses. People who violate city ordinances are being trespassed when appropriate or cited if the situation warrants it.
“We have also increased our presence, particularly in the afternoon and early evening hours when attendance is at its greatest,” Lowery said.
Kent Police also have a marine unit that patrols the lake and park.
“They patrol on a random schedule with a focus on those days and times when lake traffic is the greatest,” Lowery said. “Park property patrols are augmented by uniformed and plain clothes patrols as well.”
The city of Kent holds its annual Fourth of July Splash at Lake Meridian Park.
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