Columbia officials say the city has "zero tolerance" for what is being referred to as "teen takeovers," after they say a bunch of young people caused a disturbance during a Juneteenth celebration.
According to Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook, while six-to-seven thousand people were attending the event, a citizen reported seeing several people throwing bookbags over the cast iron perimeter fence. While authorities say they did not witness that activity, they did see several people inside the park with bookbags, which are not allowed inside the park.
A short time later, Holbrook said, a child playing inside the playground area of the park found loose ammunition.
" It gave us great concern," Holbrook said. "Ammunition is not something you carry around in your pocket like loose change. It's intentional and it's usually in the company of a weapon. "
Holbrook says the playground was the same area where individuals reportedly jumped the fence to avoid coming in through the designated checkpoint area. Police said they saw a growing number of young people running through the park causing confusion and various disturbances, including several fights.
Additional police were called in to assist including 30 officers and six University of South Carolina officers. Holbrook said a growing amount of disorderly conduct led to a decision to shut the event down was made and to evacuate the park.
While Holbrook would not say how much ammunition was discovered in the park he did say what was found would have gone to a 9mm handgun. A gun was never recovered.
One person was arrested at the park after police say they found five ounces of marijuana in one of the backpacks belonging to an adult. Three teenagers were detained and released to the custody of their parents.
"This was a wonderful day and started to be a wonderful evening," Holbrook said. "It was a signature event for Finlay Park. Unfortunately, we joined other cities across our country that have ... had threats of 'teen takeovers.' This has got to be a shared responsibility to counter something like this to make sure it does not happen again."
City Manager Teresa Wilson said that seeing all of the fun people of all ages were having, and how orderly the event was, made her realize the city had done the right thing bringing the Juneteenth festival to Finlay Park.
"It made my heart full," Wilson said. "Finlay ... is a venue for the very type of event the South Carolina Juneteenth Festival organizers put together. There is no scenario for disruptive behaviors in this park. Not in any of our city parks. You better check it at the door, on Taylor Street or on Laurel street, but don't bring it into this park. There is zero tolerance."
Columbia mother, Takeisha Bowls is a city native. Recently retired from the U.S. Air Force, she just relocated back home. Bowls says she loves how Finlay Park has been renovated. She decided to attend the Juneteenth celebration to share the experience with her family.
"I was here with these two little ones and my mom, who is older.," she said. "We just started to see a bunch of people start to run. We didn't know what was going on."
The isolated incident isn't enough to keep her from coming back. Holbrook and Wilson hope others share the same sentiment.
Holbrook says one victim has come forward with a parent and is being interviewed by police. CPD is now asking anyone else who was victimized during the brawl to come forward.
City officials say after 5 in the evening anyone who is under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult 21 year old or old, seven days a week.
