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By Mike Allen
June 20,2024 (Santee) -- A nasty fight involving 25-30 teenagers at the first of Santee’s Summer Concerts at Town Center Community Park last Thursday resulted in changes in how the city manages the popular event.
Bree Osborne, a spokeswoman for the city of Santee, said the fight began soon after the June 13 concert ended at 8:15 p.m. when a “group of teens and minors caused some issues.”
She said the fight, which was centered around the restrooms at the west side of Town Center Community Park, required the response of an unknown number of Sheriff’s Department personnel, and that arrests were made.
Sheriff's media spokesperson Kimberly King stated in an e-mail response to ECM, "Last week's event had a minor disturbance, resulting in two people being arrested after the concert was over." Both were arrested for being drunk in public and one was also charged with delaying/obstructing an officer in the performance of their duties," King added.
"Additionally, a large group of juveniles and younger adults refused to comply with the deputies' instructions to leave the area as the concert had concluded. The juveniles were also actively blocking the path for the patrol vehicle to take the arrestees to jail," King continued."Additional units were requested, along with ASTREA for air support since deputies were vastly outnumbered by the boisterous juveniles. Deputies on scene were eventually able to keep the peace and complete the arrests."
In response to the incident, the city will increase the number of deputies assigned to future concerts from two to between six and eight, Osborne said.
The city is also changing some aspects of managing the event to make it safer. The west park footbridge leading to the field will be open until the concert starts at 6:30 p.m., and then serve as an exit only. The city will be closing down the entire park after the concert ends at about 8:15 pm, and is encouraging parents to accompany all minors attending the concert, Osborne said.
The pathways to fields 3 and 4 will also be closed during the event, and no alcohol will be permitted beyond the park perimeter.
“We’re doing everything we to make this event safe for everyone,” Osborne assured.
The next concert on June 20 features the group Upstream, which plays Caribbean Island music.
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