An annual tradition in Euclid is back this weekend with a festival at Ss Robert and William Catholic Parish, but with security changes top of mind after a nearby group of teens and adults got out of hand Friday night.
Festival organizers announced that teens coming to the festival must now be accompanied by an adult. Witnesses told us it began outside but near the festival and moved towards a local business, Gram Gram's Soul Food. The church said it had no issues inside the festival perimeter.
Our camera was rolling on some of the shocking behavior from the teens. We captured them fighting and blocking cars on the road.
The restaurant's owner, Dawna Blount, told us that she's never seen anything like it in the three years she has been here.
"They were doing all kinds of stuff; I was so scared that I could have taken more video, but I was just so afraid because I went out one time, and a big fight broke out. These teenagers these days, you don't know what they are going to do."
Other changes to the festival include one entrance and exit, and the teens who an adult must accompany will also have to wear a wristband.
The pastor told us there will be a discussion about the event at the city's next council meeting.
We contacted Euclid police on Saturday with questions about what happened.
On Tuesday, the Euclid Police Department posted an update on Facebook stating that juveniles congregated in the church's parking lot both Friday and Saturday night, and fights broke out. Officers used pepper spray and pepper balls to disperse the crowd after individuals taunted and threatened them.
Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer issued a statement that read, in part:
"I am extremely proud of our Officers. They showed incredible restraint, professionalism, and composure in a highly volatile situation. As a result, the festival felt very safe to the patrons. Our message was clearly sent that we were not tolerating this type of unruly and destructive behavior. The festival is an important event in Euclid and we are doing everything possible to keep it open and peaceful. The Ss. Robert & William and EPD continue to work hand in hand to ensure the success of the festival for years to come."
You can read the full post below:
Last month, 10 juveniles were arrested after a fight broke out at St. Clare festival in Lyndhurst. Mayfield Height's police chief said that he thinks church festivals have become a nuisance and a public safety issue due to how teens behave now.
RELATED: Fights at St. Clare festival followed by 10 juvenile arrests in Mayfield Hts.
