After rowdy youth disrupt Movie Mondays, Erie Downtown Partnership cancels remaining films
Calling the move a 'difficult decision,' the Downtown Partnership on July 26 announced the cancellation of the three remaining Movie Mondays dates on its Facebook page.
The free event, which features family-friendly movies, takes place in Perry Square.
'Despite great efforts to increase security, the events have become an attraction for escalating disruptive and dangerous behavior and cancelling the series seems to be our only path forward to ensure Downtown and Perry Square remain safe for everyone,' the Facebook post states.
'Though we explored a change in location and/or operations with several different partners, no such changes were feasible within our downtown district this late in the season.'
The Downtown Partnership also thanked its event sponsors and partners. The nonprofit's Facebook post had been viewed more than 1,100 times and had been shared more than 300 times as of July 28.
The event features family-friendly movies cancellations include scheduled showings of 'Muppet Treasure Island' on July 28, 'The Avengers' on Aug. 11 and 'Wicked' on Aug. 25.
What prompted this decision?
The first incident at Movie Mondays took place June 16, during a screening of 'The Incredibles.'
Children and adults had gathered in the west side of the downtown Erie park to watch the film when, according to Erie police, a crowd of up to 150 juveniles showed up.
Police said members of the group were running around, standing in the roadway and blocking traffic, and being loud and disruptive. Officers were called to the area and ushered the group to the east park at Perry Square, where they eventually dispersed, police said.
Roughly 30 minutes later, a large group returned and another disturbance broke out, including a few fights, police said. The movie ended about 10 minutes early and one person was charged with disorderly conduct, police said.
Another disturbance involving a large group of 'rowdy' youths broke out at Perry Square and created disruptions during the Movie Mondays screening of 'Moana'on July 14, Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny said.
Police knew about the cancellation of the remaining Movie Mondays before the Downtown Partnership announced it publicly, Spizarny said.
'We stayed in regular contact with (the Downtown Partnership) about this since the first disturbance,' Spizarny said. 'We tried some different things, like extra officers and they had private security. But the amount of kids coming down and disrupting the event was just unmanageable, unfortunately.'
Spizarny said large groups of youths 'showed up unescorted and they were not there for the movie. They would run around chasing each other and next thing you know someone would be in a fight. Then multiple fights would break out.'
'Complex issues'
Following the June 16 Movie Mondays disturbance, the Downtown Partnership posted on Facebook that the incident was 'in direct conflict with the organization's mission of creating a safe, fun and welcoming downtown.
'We recognize that this incident prompts several other concerns: What need is being overlooked among the youth of our community that may result in these actions? What are we lacking in Erie in terms of a safe third space for these teens to gather without incident? How can we collaborate with our community partners to meet that need?' the organization previously stated on Facebook.
"These are complex issues, but Erie Downtown Partnership is committed to contributing to a solution that works to address these needs and creates a better downtown experience for all.'
Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on X at@ETNflowers
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Movie Mondays canceled by Erie Downtown Partnership
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