Denver Zoo to close early due to social media-inspired teenage 'takeover'
The Denver Zoo will close early on Saturday due to a planned social-media inspired "takeover" of the zoo's surrounding park by a large group of teenagers.
A spokesperson for the zoo told NBC affiliate KUSA that it will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. due to the gathering, which is being referred to as the "City Park Takeover" online.
A similar event took place in the city last weekend, with hundreds of teenagers descending at the Northfield Mall, causing some fights to break out that involved the response of law enforcement, KUSA reported.
It is unclear if there is a specific group organizing the events.
'We don't know the exact nature of the event but we know previous events organized in a similar fashion have led to some disruption to local businesses, damage, vandalism, things like that," zoo spokesperson Jake Kubie told KUSA.
Kubie said the early closure was a precaution for any disturbances.
"We don't believe we're a target of anything. We haven't received any information that suggests that there is gonna be any impact to us," he said. "We're always leaning towards caution over everything else."
No arrests were made and no property was damaged at the event last weekend, KUSA reported. However, there were incidents of vandalism.
The Denver Police Department said in a statement that it is aware of the "takeover" events in the city and "will plan accordingly to try to minimize the impact of these events."
Kubie told KUSA that the zoo is "prepared."
"Being a zoo — an 80-acre campus with 2,500 wild animals and almost 2 million guests coming in every year — it's our responsibility to be prepared for anything that can happen," he said. "Fortunately we haven't had any incidents along these lines but we're ready for whatever may happen."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
a day ago
- NBC News
Denver Zoo to close early due to social media-inspired teenage 'takeover'
The Denver Zoo will close early on Saturday due to a planned social-media inspired "takeover" of the zoo's surrounding park by a large group of teenagers. A spokesperson for the zoo told NBC affiliate KUSA that it will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. due to the gathering, which is being referred to as the "City Park Takeover" online. A similar event took place in the city last weekend, with hundreds of teenagers descending at the Northfield Mall, causing some fights to break out that involved the response of law enforcement, KUSA reported. It is unclear if there is a specific group organizing the events. 'We don't know the exact nature of the event but we know previous events organized in a similar fashion have led to some disruption to local businesses, damage, vandalism, things like that," zoo spokesperson Jake Kubie told KUSA. Kubie said the early closure was a precaution for any disturbances. "We don't believe we're a target of anything. We haven't received any information that suggests that there is gonna be any impact to us," he said. "We're always leaning towards caution over everything else." No arrests were made and no property was damaged at the event last weekend, KUSA reported. However, there were incidents of vandalism. The Denver Police Department said in a statement that it is aware of the "takeover" events in the city and "will plan accordingly to try to minimize the impact of these events." Kubie told KUSA that the zoo is "prepared." "Being a zoo — an 80-acre campus with 2,500 wild animals and almost 2 million guests coming in every year — it's our responsibility to be prepared for anything that can happen," he said. "Fortunately we haven't had any incidents along these lines but we're ready for whatever may happen."
Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
Brad Pitt's Los Angeles home 'ransacked' by burglars during F1 promo tour
Los Angeles police are investigating a break-in at a Los Feliz residence reportedly owned by Brad Pitt. Three suspects allegedly ransacked the property while the actor was overseas promoting his upcoming film, F1 – the latest in a string of high-profile robberies in LA. Officers responded to the incident on Wednesday night at a home on the 2300 block of North Edgemont Street, according to LAPD spokesperson Officer Drake Madison. Police were alerted by an alarm call and arrived to find that the suspects had broken in through a front window, rummaged through the home, and fled with unspecified items. No arrests have been made, and police have not released details about what was stolen. NBC News originally reported that the Los Angeles Police Department is investigating a burglary at the actor's house. A spokesperson for the LAPD confirmed to NBC that a break-in occurred at 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday at a residence in the Los Feliz neighborhood, though they could not confirm the exact identity of the homeowner. Real estate records suggest Pitt purchased the property for $5.5million (£4.35m) in April 2023, as reported by commercial real estate site Traded. Pitt has been traveling internationally to promote F1, with his most recent public appearance at the film's premiere in London on Monday. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Pitt joins a growing list of celebrities in the Los Angeles area whose homes have been broken into while they're away, with recent victims including Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Austin Butler, and LAFC's Olivier Giroud. In 2024, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's LA home was reportedly burglarized in broad daylight. More Trending According to NBC, LA's Police Chief stated that the number of burglaries reported in the City in 2024 increased by 4%, and that more than half of the locations targeted were residences like Pitt's. 'These are happening very quickly,' Chief Dominic Choi told the Board of Police Commissioners about the uptick in robberies. 'We're not seeing the entire house being ransacked,' he continued. 'These individuals that are conducting these high-end burglaries know what they're looking for, and they're in and out in a few minutes.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Love Island star accused of sexually assaulting ex-girlfriend in front of their child MORE: Kevin Costner responds after stuntwoman suing him over rape scene shares graphic allegations MORE: Oscar-nominated actress reveals she was cruelly rejected by Wicked after 6 auditions
NBC News
3 days ago
- NBC News
Prosecutor details Diddy's alleged criminal ‘kingdom' in closing arguments
This is a free article for Diddy on Trial newsletter subscribers. to get exclusive reporting and analysis throughout Sean Combs' federal trial. Today, U.S. government prosecutor Christy Slavik delivered closing arguments to the jury. Slavik, who addressed jurors for nearly five hours, painted a scathing portrait of Diddy, casting the defendant as 'the leader of a criminal enterprise' who did 'not take no for an answer' and 'used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted.' 'It was his kingdom,' Slavik said. 'Everyone was there to serve him.' In painstaking detail, Slavik walked the 12-person panel through the federal government's three charges against Diddy. She asserted that the evidence, when tied together, showed beyond a reasonable doubt that the music mogul was guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The center of the government's case: drug-fueled 'freak offs.' Slavik detailed how Diddy relied on his inner circle to force ex-girlfriends Cassie Ventura and ' Jane ' into participating in marathon sexual encounters with male escorts. She argued that Diddy's employees carried out an array of crimes to 'make him happy,' including kidnapping, arson and bribery. 'He was able to get away with it due to his money, power and influence, and that stops now,' Slavik said in closing. 'It is time to hold him accountable. It is time for justice. It is time to find him guilty.' 🔎 The view from inside By Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas, Katherine Koretski and Jing Feng We felt nervous energy coursing through the packed courtroom this morning as Diddy's family members took their seats and Slavik prepared to deliver her closing argument. Diddy, wearing light pants and a white sweater, entered a short time later. He looked at his family and put his hand to his heart. At one point, Diddy's twin daughters passed a note to defense attorney Teny Geragos. She handed it to Diddy, who smiled. In the second hour of Slavik's summation, Diddy started to take on a noticeably more downcast appearance. He sat back in his chair with his head down while Slavik detailed the government's sex trafficking charges, looking completely dejected — even defeated. Later, he kept his eyes on the floor when Slavik played the infamous video recording of Diddy kicking and dragging Ventura in a hallway at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles in 2016. PSA: Every night during Diddy's trial, NBC's 'Dateline' will drop special episodes of the 'True Crime Weekly' podcast to get you up to speed. 'Dateline' correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC News' Chloe Melas and special guests — right in front of the courthouse. Listen here.
