DA threatens to sue Kennywood over security measures

Another article here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/t...8232&ei=11

Seems odd for the DA to go public with this. Less than a month before opening day, DA tells the world the park isn't safe. Expect that he would have expressed his concerns to the park privately and indicated that he would sue to block opening if those concerns are not addressed. Maybe he did that and the park thumbed its nose at him.

DA is in the middle of a highly contested re-election campaign. That’s all you need to know about this.

I can see them suggesting some nonsense that they think will be good but in reality do nothing or worse make it less safe. Without details who knows.

Looking at that gated area on Google Street view, it seems like it would be rather simple for the park to build a second taller fence or wall 6-8 feet from the current fence. That would prevent weapons from being able to be handed into the park. I've noticed Chicago has done that for Lollapalooza after everyone stormed the fence a few years ago. They put up a almost impossible to climb 10 foot fence now, with a sizeable gap between the regular chain link fence, and security patrols in between.

CoasterDude316:
it seems like it would be rather simple for the park to build a second taller fence or wall 6-8 feet from the current fence.

In some regards, I have to wonder if that may have been proposed but then rejected as "needing a zoning variance" or not being "aesthetically appealing".

I can think back to the day when a DA might be run out (or at least voted out) of town for daring to threaten the city’s beloved amusement playground. I’m hard pressed to think of a traditional amusement park that has had such a loyal, strictly local following over so many decades.
Well, until it didn’t. As much as the park has sought to improve the experience and stay known as a “nice place”, it seems lately that any time Kennywood is in the news it’s for something sketchy and comments on social media don’t exactly defend the place. Terms like “ghetto” are thrown around freely, and people swear to never go back.
And I’m not referring to enthusiasts who complain about early closing, I mean locals who once held a long time family tradition with the park. It’s a sad day when disrespectful patrons seek to ruin a good thing by, ya know… tearing through the place and shooting each other and stuff. And I say that using my best Boomer tone of voice.
>sigh<…

Whoa. You're really seeing the dark side out there. There's plenty of positive local reporting on Kennywood, it's just not all worth sharing on Coasterbuzz. Here's an article from the same paper (much of the journalism staff is on strike) talking about their 2023 improvements. I could share dozens more positive stories from from 2022, 2023. The vibes at Kennywood have never been better IMO.

I saw this when I was out of town, and you know I generally won't talk about this park here, but I'm really flabbergasted that he did this. I obviously know how much has been done in this area, and it's a LOT.

Also, speaking quite frankly (and this is what I tell people when they think rides are unsafe here or anywhere else) having another incident would be bad for business. Why wouldn't they do all they could?

I wonder if he threatens to shut down synagogues that didn't upgrade safety measures after the Tree of Life shooting? Or fitness centers after my friend was murdered at LA Fitness?

With the exception of the casino, I wonder if he can name one entertainment venue in his jurisdiction that has more security in the form of technology or feet on the ground?

What’s the big deal if they are closed? Current ownership closes the park for rain. He’s just saving them the constant closure announcements.

Believe it or not, "new" ownership (not to be confused with ownership from 2 or 4 years ago) has been pretty good with the weather situation. They generally stay open 'til the posted closing time unless there's an all-day monsoon predicted.

People often do this, but you're all confusing ownership with management. Although the park has had the same ownership since the sale, the management has entirely changed over the past couple of years. Completely different culture and philosophy.

kpjb:

Completely different culture and philosophy.

It's noticeable and welcome. My wife and I happily renewed our passes this year where in the past we either skipped a year or begrudgingly renewed.

CoasterDude316:

I've noticed Chicago has done that for Lollapalooza after everyone stormed the fence a few years ago. They put up a almost impossible to climb 10 foot fence now, with a sizeable gap between the regular chain link fence, and security patrols in between.

And they made Milwaukee pay for it.

As far as what KW should do, I have no idea. It seems that they are just running into the same problem so many other parks, most notably Six Flags, has been having with a lot of their parks, mainly being overrun by troublemakers.

But suing? Come on. This is a park, not a bank. If I get hurt as an innocent bystander when the Subway I'm buying a sandwich at (That's for you Josh) get robbed, can the government sue Subway? Or did I just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? How about going after the idiot who committed the crime? The person who put the gun into the park and the person who fired it. That what I would want if I was the victim of a crime.

Gary, IN Subway is too intense for me.

Tommytheduck:

But suing? Come on.

To be clear, suing doesn't always mean seeking money. It often seeks outcomes.

kpjb:

People often do this, but you're all confusing ownership with management. Although the park has had the same ownership since the sale, the management has entirely changed over the past couple of years. Completely different culture and philosophy.

I closely associate the two because the way the park is run has changed as much as Parques ownership has changed, even if the management at Kennywood (i.e., the GM) was the same up until 2019. The focus on branded experiences such as Steelers Country and Thomas Town was under Advent's watch which acquired Parques when it went private in 2016. The reorganization and relocation of Palace Entertainment to Pittsburgh and appointment of Mark Pauls as GM roughly coincided with EQT becoming the majority shareholder of Parques in 2019.

I understand that, but things like "new ownership has been pretty good with the weather situation" irk me because it makes it sound like a shareholder in EQT is shaping local park policies. I assure you no one there is aware of the day to day weather in Pittsburgh. This isn't me picking on you, BTW. It's a very common misconception.

IIRC they were closing the park for weather well before Parques took over.

PhantomTails:

The focus on branded experiences

Like Garfield's Nightmare? ;)